French home appliance giant Brandt liquidated, 700 jobs lost

The Nanterre Commercial Court has ordered the liquidation of French home appliance group Brandt, dealing a severe blow to the nation’s industrial sector, the president of the Centre-Val de Loire region said.

Brandt had entered judicial recovery at the beginning of October, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

“It is terrible news, a shock and a very heavy blow to French industry,” François Bonneau said, describing the closure as a traumatic event for the roughly 700 employees affected. 

The company, which reported annual revenues of €260 million, had struggled amid a challenging market for large household appliances.

Last year, sales fell by 3.9% following declines in 2023, with the interprofessional association of appliance manufacturers (Gifam) citing competition from low-cost foreign products as a key factor.

The liquidation also marks the end of three other French appliance brands – Vedette, Sauter, and De Dietrich – alongside Brandt. According to sources, between €20 and €25 million would have been needed to rescue the business. Employees will no longer receive salaries after 15 December.

The French government expressed deep regret over the closure of Brandt, describing it as a “flagship of French industry” that is now lost, according to Economy Minister Roland Lescure and Industry Minister Sébastien Martin.

By Aghakazim Guliyev