14 jobs lost

China Instead of Upper Austria: Eisbär Relocates Hood Production

The Upper Austrian company has been a partner of the ÖSV for many years and outfits the ski stars.(Bild: APA/EXPA)

Eisbär Sportmoden, a company based in Feldkirchen an der Donau—best known for its beanies—is winding down its production in Upper Austria at the end of the year. Instead, manufacturing will apparently be outsourced to Poland and China. This move will result in the loss of 14 jobs.

“Conditions for textile production in Central Europe have deteriorated significantly in recent years,” the company stated in a press release. It cited “high non-wage labor costs, massive international price and competitive pressure, and sharply rising infrastructure and energy costs.” In addition, the lease in Feldkirchen an der Donau has been terminated. As a result, production at the Upper Austrian site will be discontinued at the end of the year, according to Eisbär. As part of this, 14 of the total 50 positions will be eliminated.

Headquarters to Remain in Upper Austria
Instead, production is to be outsourced to Poland and China, according to the “OÖN.” In addition, Eisbär is relocating its headquarters within Upper Austria to a new, as-yet-unnamed location. Eisbär further states that it is important to the company to “keep essential parts of the value chain in the state.” Thus, design, strategic product development, marketing, sales, and administration will remain in Upper Austria—soon at a new location.

“Painful, but unavoidable”
The 14 affected employees have been personally informed, says Eisbär Managing Director Thorsten Grönlund: “This step is painful but unavoidable. However, we will strive to find individual and socially responsible solutions for all affected employees.”

Eisbär was originally founded as a small embroidery shop and, over the decades, has grown into one of the best-known winter sports brands. Since 1975, the Upper Austrian company has been a partner of the Austrian Ski Association (ÖSV). In addition to headwear, Eisbär also produces clothing such as sweaters and T-shirts.