According to an article in Glass journal, Owens-Illinois (O-I), is to cut 950 jobs at its European plants over the next 2 years from a total of about 11,500, with 60% of these from operations staff. It will cut production in Germany by 15% at its 5 factories there, acquired with its $1.4BN takeover of rival glassmaker BSN Glasspack, & also plans a new EU head office at Lausanne (Switzerland). Its planned changes in Europe will be used as the basis to introduce changes throughout the O-I group, because Europe is the largest region for O-I glass activities & has a below-average performance. The firm plans to broaden its market base into emerging economies by providing global offerings & distribution, focusing on innovation & developing a segment perspective. On a pro-forma basis, 57% of its 2004 sales came from glass activities outside North America.
