There is a small glimmer of hope regarding the intended relocation project by injection moulding machine manufacturer Ferromatik Milacron (Malterdingen / Germany; www.ferromatik.com). Because the European order book is "currently filled to the brim", the production facility in Malterdingen will now probably remain there two years longer than had been intended following the last negotiations between management and the workers' representatives. On 31 May 2017, the agreement that had been reached at the end of 2016 was amended, and the US group is even recalling a number of dismissed employees.

In March 2016, parent company Milacron (Cincinnati, Ohio / USA; www.milacron.com) announced that the production and assembly operations would be relocated to the more modern plant at its Czech site of Policka before the end of 2017 – see Plasteurope.com of 07.06.2016. 130 jobs would be lost, and only around 100 jobs in development, sales and marketing would remain in Malterdingen along with the manufacture, inspection and approval of complex customised machines.

Nevertheless, the move has not been cancelled, just postponed. Milacron is sticking to its intention and "the resources of both plants will be used for a certain period". However, the relocation to the Czech Republic is probably not the final step either. According to Denis Poelman, managing director of the European injection moulding division, the company wants to maintain a strong presence in Malterdingen even though the relocation of the remaining development activities has evidently been planned for some time. "Milacron is resolved to stay in the region of Malterdingen. Should we really move, we would not go more than 25 kilometres from our present site," explained Poelman.