JANDELSBRUNN (dpa-AFX) - The Lower Bavarian caravan and motorhome manufacturer Knaus Tab bert is switching to a four-day week for part of its workforce from April. The company, like many others, is fighting for skilled workers, said company spokesman Stefan Diehl. "We want to present ourselves as a modern and attractive employer." In addition to the headquarters in Jandelsbrunn (Passau district), the change also affects the Sinntal-Mottgers site in Hesse. Several media outlets had previously reported on this.

The four-day week from Monday to Thursday applies to employees on the assembly line and in the body shop. The procedure has been discussed with the workforce and the works council, according to the spokesperson. The reactions were positive, as the employees concerned would regularly have a long weekend in future. Knaus Tabbert wants to take on a pioneering role.

The changeover will be accompanied by a return to the collectively agreed 35-hour week, said Diehl. Due to the high demand for leisure vehicles in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the company has been working 38.5 hours per week for the past two years. If the production lines come to a standstill on Fridays in future, this will also mean cost savings for Knaus Tabbert, for example in electricity.

In February, the company published preliminary business figures for 2023. On this basis, Knaus Tabbert expects a consolidated turnover of 1.4 billion euros. Across the Group, 18,584 motorhomes and camper vans (previous year: 11,426) and 12,029 caravans (previous year: 18,130) were sold. The audited consolidated financial statements for 2023, including the forecast for the 2024 financial year, are to be published on March 28 /fuw/DP/stw