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Shock in Nauen: BSH closes washing machine factory and affects 440 employees!
BSH is closing washing machine production in Nauen by 2027, affecting 440 jobs. Reasons: Market declining.
Shock in Nauen: BSH closes washing machine factory and affects 440 employees!
In Havelland, the recently announced closure of the Bosch Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH (BSH) washing machine production plant in Nauen is causing great consternation. The decision, which was officially announced on Friday, October 10, 2025, is expected to have a massive impact on the region. Around 440 employees will be affected, with production phasing out by mid-2027. However, the logistics at the location will remain the same, which represents at least a small ray of hope for the employees.
The reasons for this step are varied. A persistently declining market, stagnating real estate prices and changing purchasing behavior are making economic operations more difficult. In addition, the demand for cheaper appliances has increased, which makes production in Nauen, which produces around 600,000 washing machines a year - 75% of which are exported - no longer profitable. All of this has led to the utilization of the production network being consistently below expectations. According to rbb24, no relevant market growth is forecast for the near future, which is why BSH is forced to adjust its capacities.
Bretten location also affected
The closures are not just limited to Nauen. Production at the Bretten site in Baden-Württemberg, where the production of stoves and extractor hoods is ongoing, will also be stopped by the end of the first quarter of 2028. Around 980 employees are affected here. BSH has already set itself the goal of finding socially acceptable solutions for its employees. This includes discussions with employee representatives, as shown on [maz-online].
A total of around 1,400 jobs are at risk at both locations. The metal industry union and the works council in Bretten have already asked management to rethink the plans and work on future concepts. Works council chairman Kristian Kipcic-Suta calls for more transparency and co-determination in this difficult situation.
Market development at a glance
The market for household appliances is currently characterized by various challenges. While according to Statista the market for electrical household appliances grew by 0.2% to around 17.02 billion euros in 2024, sales of large electrical appliances, which also include washing machines, fell by 3.7%. These trends not only pose problems for BSH. The company is considered the largest European manufacturer in this segment and achieved sales of around 15.3 billion euros in 2024.
The closure of the Nau location is not only a significant loss for the employees, but also puts a strain on the entire region. BSH has invested around 300 million euros in German locations in the last three years alone. This step shows how important the company's competitiveness and innovative strength are for the future. Still, the decline in the industry leaves one wondering what tomorrow will bring. Another indicator that the print is pulling the grass out from under its feet.