Pirelli Makes It Clear

In reply to an article in NEUE REIFENZEITUNG entitled “Bremsspuren im Odenwald” (“Pirelli Shows Brake Lights in Germany”) Dr. Wentz assured the “Darmstädter Echo” in an interview that the company was about to conclude an extraordinarily good 1999 business year and that there would be no personnel cuts. The correct version is: In the year 2000, Pirelli Germany (by which we mean Pirelli AG, Metzeler, Drahtcord and Pirelli Reifenwerke) will not be sacking 140 white collar workers, as previously reported, but only 45.

On the other hand, Pirelli says it is going to employ 48 more blue-collar workers. These are the official figures from the office of Dr. Wentz, which we have no cause to doubt.

Having said that, the numbers do not correspond with information that we have from other sources and they apply only to the year 2000. Further details will be given in future issues of NEUE REIFENZEITUNG.In October 1999, Pirelli chief Tronchetti Provera explained, against the background of falling profits, the need to reduce staff numbers in the Tyre Division by 800 in the year 1999.