3 July 2002 -- As part of Corning Inc's on-going overall restructuring plans announced in April, US-based fibre-cable maker Corning Cable Systems has proposed a re-organisation of its European operations, affecting about 720 staff by end-2002. This takes Corning Inc's job cuts to 3,400 out of an expected 4,000.
Corning Cable Systems plans to centralise commercial operations in a new centre in Berlin, Germany, closing the customer service centre in Guildford, UK and administrative offices in Munich, Germany. The international sales and marketing function will remain in Munich, Germany.
Manufacturing will be consolidated in Neustadt bei Coburg, Germany after closing plants in Berlin, Germany and Whiston, UK (the latter was idled in February).
Also, production of cable assemblies and fibre-optic hardware will be consolidated in Lodz, Poland, discontinuing its cable assembly operations in Neustadt.
Consolidation actions should be completed by Q1/2003.