Rodgau, Germany, will no longer be the site of assembly for Kubota’s compact tractors, municipal machines, and professional mowers. the company, which has had assembly operations there as 1993, has decided to move thes activities to Poland.

IG Metall, the largest trade union in Germany and Europe, estimates that this move coudl result in the liquidation of 100 full-time jobs in the short term, perhaps threatening all 200 positions in Rodgau. Though, the company has not confirmed these figures.

Employees have been anticipating such a move.According to Kai Böhm, chairman of the company council, concerns arose in November 2024 when Kubota terminated the short-term work agreement, citing a need for greater adaptability.He also noted that the employment guarantee is set to expire in February 2026.

The decision was revealed on May 28, when employees were informed that assembly, logistics, and final control operations would be outsourced to an external company in Poland by September 2026.

“This decision is called into question the entire plant,” Böhm believes.

The Company Moves to Poland. Germany is Concerned

Kubota attributes the decision to economic factors, stating that it was made at the European level. The company has not disclosed specific details, but IG Metall estimates that the move could save approximately EUR 3.5 million annually, primarily due to lower labor and energy costs in Poland.

Manuel Schmidt, an IG Metall representative, acknowledged that cost savings appear to be the primary driver. However, he also pointed out that the German facility handles numerous specialized machine versions tailored to the demanding market. “We do not think that the Polish factory is able to provide the same quality and flexibility,” he stated.

Trade unionists fear that the assembly transfer is just the beginning, with another 100 jobs in sales and service potentially at risk. “This decision is called into question the entire plant,” Böhm believes.

Despite these concerns, “We do not close the plant” assures Driver. He added that discussions regarding a social plan and appropriate compensation for affected employees are ongoing.

IG Metall suggests an choice solution: “Kubota has been selling large tractors with a power of 140-180 HP for years with significant losses. From a business point of view, it would be more profitable to close this segment,” says Schmidt.