Uncertainty for staff at Belgian plant as Tupperware files for bankruptcy
Plastic container manufacturer Tupperware Brands has filed for bankruptcy in the US and will look for a buyer, it said in a press release on Tuesday. Its Belgian factory employs some 240 people in East Flanders.
The company has been in financial difficulties for some time and can no longer pay its debts, amounting to 700 million dollars.
Tupperware is entering the Chapter 11 procedure, which offers protection from creditors. The intention is to allow operations to continue during those proceedings and to start a sale process.
“Over the last several years, the company’s financial position has been severely impacted by the challenging macroeconomic environment,” Tupperware CEO Laurie Ann Goldman said in the press release. “As a result, we explored numerous strategic options and determined this is the best path forward.”
"People have felt it coming for a long time, especially those who have been working here all their lives"
Temporary unemployment has been in place at the Belgian plant in Aalst for months to reduce labour costs.
“There is a bit of resignation here,” said Jan Holtyzer of the socialist trade union ABVV shortly before the bankruptcy was confirmed. “People have felt it coming for a long time, especially those who have been working here all their lives. They see that the volumes they produce are only a fraction of what they were running 10 or 20 years ago.”
Tupperware was founded in 1946 when Earl Tupper developed plastic boxes that could be sealed airtight. They were marketed through parties where representatives would visit people’s homes to demonstrate the products.
#FlandersNewsService | A Tupperware outlet in Antwerp © PHOTO ANP / HOLLANDSE HOOGTE / PETER HILZ
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