SMA Solar Technology AG has announced the elimination of another 300 jobs in Germany. In addition, another 50 jobs will be cut abroad, the inverter manufacturer announced on 2 October. In addition to the restructuring and transformation programme already underway, a further €100 million is to be saved annually. According to the company, this is necessary due to the continuing weak market and immense price pressure in the residential and commercial sectors. The Home & Business Solutions division is particularly affected by the cost-cutting measures. While the business with solutions for large power plants is developing very well, the expansion rate in the home sector is declining sharply compared to 2024.
Research and development expenses are to be reduced by adjusting the product portfolio, making more intensive use of the existing Competence Centre in India and withdrawing from unprofitable markets. Production capacities in Poland are to be expanded, but overall less hardware is to be produced in-house. SMA also sees opportunities to save costs in the service area. In addition, further savings potential is to be realised throughout the company, primarily by further streamlining the corporate centre and reducing operating costs.
»We will restore our competitiveness by focusing even more strongly on our core competencies in the future,« said CEO Jürgen Reinert. »This includes our technical expertise in the field of cybersecurity and quality and our ability to develop comprehensive solutions in accordance with the highest international and national standards, which also increasingly meet the changing needs of our customers. At the same time, we will increasingly leverage our international presence in the future to optimize our value creation in the area of production.«
»We have achieved a lot in recent months,« added CTrO/COO Olaf Heyden. »Our original savings target is within reach, and we have made the company leaner, more efficient, and more agile. Nevertheless, our journey is not over yet. In view of the current situation, it is imperative that we make further adjustments to our cost base and business model. We will adapt our product portfolio, further streamline and internationalize our production, and realize additional cost-saving potential by the end of 2027.«
According to its own statements, the company has already begun initial discussions with the works council committees about the planned further job cuts. Official negotiations will begin this week and are expected to be concluded in November. SMA plans to implement the job cuts from January 2026.
© PHOTON
