Half of the workforce at the MAN Diesel plant in Frederikshavn are to be laid off as a result of a decision to move diesel engine production from Jutland to Germany, according to DR P4 Nordjylland.

Employees were informed of the decision at a meeting at Arena Nord this morning, with the 550 termination letters expected to be delivered by September 3 at the latest.

Frederikshavn Mayor Erik Sørensen (Soc. Dem) says the decision is a harsh blow for the region.

“This is too much like the mass layoffs we had when the Danyard Shipyard closed 10 years ago. And it comes at the worst possible time during a financial crisis,” Sørensen says.