Cersanit and Barlinek halt production in Ukraine. 1,800 people

Cersanit halts production in Zviahel

The Cersanit factory in Zviahel in the Zhytomyr region is completely halting production. The decision was made by the company's board, and the company's statement was published on Monday.

The plant employs around one thousand people in production, sales, marketing and customer service departments. Cersanit emphasises that it is one of the largest employers in the Zhytomyr region. The Cersanit Group has been operating in Ukraine for over 20 years.

The direct reason is two attacks by Russian drones, on the night of 11–12 September and 15–16 October. As a result of the strikes, a building and components of the production line for manufacturing ceramic tiles essential to the process were damaged. All employees present at the plant at the time were evacuated. No one was killed or injured.

The second reason is the scale of the destruction. The company admits that under the current conditions it is unable to rebuild the plant. Even after the first attack, Cersanit stated that restoring production capacity would take at least six months. At the same time, the company points to daily disruptions: air-raid alarms, evacuations even several times a day, power supply interruptions and voltage drops. This makes stable and safe work impossible.

Cersanit belongs to the MS Galleon holding group, owned by Michał Sołowow.

Barlinek halts its Vinnytsia plant

Barlinek is contributing its part to the same decision. Production is being halted at the Vinnytsia plant — over 800 people, one of the key elements of the group's manufacturing operations. The company has been operating in Ukraine since 2007.

It was at this plant that drones injured seven people in mid-July last year.

The company's statement leaves no doubt: intense attacks, frequent air-raid alarms, evacuations, power supply interruptions and voltage fluctuations. Under such conditions, the company is unable to guarantee its employees' safety.

The scale is serious: two plants, nearly 1,800 people and a decision made at a single moment. For the Vinnytsia region, Barlinek is one of the largest employers.

Causes and peace talks in Norway

The Zviahel plant became a target of Russian drones twice: on the night of 11–12 September and 15–16 October. The company stated that components of the production cycle essential for manufacturing ceramic tiles were damaged, and the destruction is so severe that it currently cannot be repaired. After the first attack, Cersanit announced that restoring production capacity would take at least six months.

The second reason is equally stark. Cersanit openly admits that under conditions of Russian attacks it is unable to guarantee its employees' safety. A short sentence from the company's statement: "People's safety is our top priority." At the same time, the company points to power supply interruptions, voltage drops and evacuations even several times a day.

Meanwhile, talks on ending the war are ongoing in Norway. Steve Witkoff, special envoy of US President Donald Trump, will meet there with European partners; Poland is mentioned among the E4 states.

Sources

Article prepared with the help of artificial intelligence based on: Money.pl, Rzeczpospolita, WNP.pl, Business Insider Polska. Facts checked automatically against these sources. The Wiadomości PRO newsroom is responsible for this publication.