Winter sports brand Salomon cuts 82 factory jobs, adds to headquarters, R&D staff

Last Thursday, French winter sports brand Salomon announced it will cut 82 manufacturing jobs, while at the same time adding to its R&D and head office staff in Annecy, where 59 new jobs will be created to speed up the company’s diversification.

The reorganisation was presented on Monday to the employees’ union representatives, and is designed to consolidate the market position of the brand owned by Finnish group Amer Sports, after a very tough year. Salomon plans to cut 82 of 738 jobs at its factory in Annecy, France, “with the possibility of staff transfers,” and the creation of 59 new jobs at the Annecy Design Centre, of which 11 in the apparel R&D department.

The reorganisation ought to enable Salomon to “accelerate its expansion in [market] segments with high growth potential,” such as hiking and outdoor activities, and in “segments with good future prospects,” such as running and leisure wear, said Salomon.

The apparel division’s staff will be redeployed “between the Annecy Design Centre and the textile knowledge centre based in Shanghai, closer to key factories and suppliers,” indicated the brand. “The situation is highly uncertain and complex, and in the last few months we have assessed a number of scenarios,” said Jean-Marc Pambet, president of Salomon, in a press release.

“This project will allow us to accelerate the deployment of our action plan, through a long-lasting reorganisation of the Annecy Design Centre that will make our operations more effective,” he added.

In January, Salomon indicated 2020 had been a “fairly favourable” year - though results were down compared to 2019 - thanks to the expansion of its non-skiing business.

The management told the AFP agency that Alpine skiing products accounted for less than a quarter of the revenue of the group, which was founded in 1947 in Annecy.