<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/too-afraid-of-china-meyer-burger-chief-quits-and-lambasts-eu-for-failing-to-defend-solar-industry/>
"The outgoing chief of Swiss solar manufacturer, Meyer Burger, has reaffirmed
his belief that Europe can compete against China on PV module production,
despite the troubled company’s ongoing struggle to survive.
Gunter Erfurt confirmed his departure from Meyer Burger in a lengthy statement
on X on Wednesday, after nearly nine years at the company, more than four of
those as CEO. He is being replaced by executive chair Franz Richter.
Erfurt leaves Meyer Burger at the same time as chief financial officer Markus
Nikles and as the company announces a nearly 20 per cent cull of its global
workforce, with about 200 jobs set to go by the end of 2025.
Erfurt’s time at the helm of the PV maker – it makes solar cells, modules and
tiles – has been shaped by the fight to keep a foothold in the solar supply
chain in a global market increasingly dominated – and dangerously so, according
to the International Energy Agency – by cheap exports from China.
It has been a losing battle for Meyer Burger, however, the company indefinitely
pausing operations at Germany’s largest solar manufacturing facility earlier
this year and in August spiking plans to build a new plant in Colorado in the
US – a move that sent the company’s shares to a new low.
Reporting of Meyer Burger’s 2024 half-year results have been delayed twice and
are now scheduled for September 30.
Despite all this, in his statement on Wednesday Erfurt says solar remains an
important manufacturing industry for the future of Europe."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
