The French home appliances conglomerate SEB has announced a restructuring plan that will affect up to 2,100 jobs worldwide. Approximately 500 positions are to be eliminated in France. The reason is the necessity to restore the company's profitability. The plans regarding the workforce reduction are being consulted with employee representatives.
Scale of Workforce Reduction
The conglomerate plans to eliminate up to 2,100 positions worldwide, with approximately 500 falling on France. The reductions are intended to be part of a recovery plan.
Reason for Restructuring
The direct reason for the actions is the need to improve financial results and restore the company's profitability after a period of difficulties.
Consultations with Employees
The reduction plans are currently the subject of consultations with workforce representatives. The final scope of layoffs may still be adjusted.
Profile of Groupe SEB
SEB is a global manufacturer of small household appliances, known among others for the Tefal brand. The company employs thousands of people in dozens of countries.
French home appliance giant, Groupe SEB, has announced a restructuring plan involving a reduction of up to 2,100 jobs globally. As part of these cuts, around 500 positions are to be eliminated in France, constituting a significant part of the entire process. The company's management argues that the decision is necessary to „restore profitability”. The plans are currently in the consultation phase with employee representatives, meaning the final number of layoffs may change. According to available information, consultations began on February 25, 2026. The restructuring is part of broader actions aimed at improving cost efficiency and the conglomerate's competitiveness in a challenging market. Groupe SEB has a long history, dating back to 1857, when Antoine Lescure founded a vineyard and enamelware factory in Bourg-de-Péage. A breakthrough came in 1954 when the company, already under the management of the Lescure family, began collaborating with inventor Marcela Laloux, leading to the market launch of the first non-stick frying pan under the Tefal brand. Through numerous acquisitions, including Moulinex (2001) and WMF (2012), the group became a global leader in its industry.All sources consistently report the main figures related to the restructuring, although they slightly differ in wording regarding the scale of cuts in France. Mediapart and Le Figaro write about 500 jobs, while Franceinfo uses the phrase „potentially 500 in France”, suggesting some room for negotiation. However, there is no discrepancy regarding the total global figure of up to 2,100 jobs. A restructuring in such a large and deeply rooted French industrial conglomerate is usually a signal of financial troubles or the need to adapt the structure to changing market conditions. Planned Job Cuts at Groupe SEB (2026): Global reductions: 2100, Reductions in France: 500This is not the first time SEB has implemented significant cuts. In the past, the company has carried out similar adjustment programs, particularly following competitor acquisitions. The current decision fits into a broader European trend of restructuring in industry, where companies strive to maintain profit margins in the face of high energy and raw material costs and increasing global competition. For the French labor market, especially in regions where SEB factories are located, the loss of hundreds of jobs could have significant social consequences.