Porsche is reportedly planning significant restructuring of its battery subsidiary, Cellforce Group, potentially leading to the dismissal of around 200 of its 286 employees. According to reports, the company intends to maintain only a small research and development unit at its Kirchentellinsfurt location. A formal notice of mass dismissal has been filed with the Reutlingen employment agency.
Porsche has declined to comment on the matter. The decision follows an April announcement that the company was seeking alternative strategies for the future of Cellforce, including potential investors. Recent weeks have seen representatives from BMW visit the facility and there has been reported interest from defense companies exploring the potential use of Cellforce technology for military drone batteries. BMW has not publicly commented on the visit.
The move represents a significant shift in strategy for Porsche, which had previously aimed to establish itself as a leader in the electric vehicle market with in-house battery production. Porsche CEO Oliver Blume, who also heads the Volkswagen Group, now faces potential setbacks to these ambitions.
All Cellforce employees have been summoned to a general assembly on Monday, where Porsche’s Board Member for Development, Michael Steiner, is scheduled to address the situation. Many Cellforce employees are at risk of unemployment, as the subsidiary does not offer the same employment guarantees as its parent company.
A works council election is scheduled for September. IG Metall representative Kai Lamparter has urged Porsche to refrain from issuing mass redundancies before the works council is established.
The development is also drawing political scrutiny. Porsche CEO Blume is scheduled to meet with Winfried Kretschmann, Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg, today. The state government previously provided Cellforce with a substantial financial grant and may seek to reclaim funds.