Slovakian thermostats

Tough competition in the refrigeration and freezing appliances market is forcing Danfoss to move its production of refrigerator and freezer thermostats from Nordborg to a factory in Slovakia.

The relocation, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2005, will affect around 77 employees.

"The relocation is a consequence of tough competition and major pressure on prices, which forces us to reduce manufacturing costs," says Vice President Mogens Soholm, in charge of Appliance Controls.

"Producing refrigerator and freezer thermostats in Nordborg is loss-making, in spite of the fact that considerable improvements in productivity have been made.”

Danfoss Appliance Controls manufactures thermostats in Mexico, Brazil, China and Italy, in addition to the factory in Denmark.

The business unit employs about 480 people.