Automotive supplier Magna is closing its plant in Rosenberg, in the Neckar-Odenwald district of Baden-Württemberg, after the search for an investor failed. On Wednesday, February 11, the company informed its workforce of the final closure of the plant, which Magna had already announced in October 2024. The plant, which manufactures transmission components for the automotive industry, was considered the largest employer in the area. However, despite discussions with interested parties, no solution could be found. Magna now intends to “gradually wind down operations over the next two years.” The exact date of the final closure has not yet been given. The company originally planned to close the plant by the end of 2026, affecting approximately 350 jobs. Following a previous downsizing program, around 220 employees are expected to remain in Rosenberg. (merkur: 19.02.26)
From Getrag Plant to Magna Site – The Background to the Decision
The Rosenberg site wasn’t always a Magna plant; it originally belonged to the transmission manufacturer Getrag from Untergruppenbach (Heilbronn district). Magna acquired Getrag in 2015, which is why Rosenberg later became part of the Canadian-Austrian corporation. In October 2024, Magna announced its intention to close the plant by the end of 2026, and at the same time, the workforce began to hope for an alternative solution. This hope stemmed from the idea that a new owner could continue operations while Magna withdrew.
Since the announcement, media reports indicate that talks with potential investors have been ongoing, but without success. Mutares from Munich was among those mentioned, and other parties involved were also exploring further options. On February 11, employees were finally informed that the closure could no longer be prevented, effectively ending the search for investors. This represents a significant blow to the region, as the plant plays a crucial role in the local job market.
Company Spokesperson Refers to Review and Market Situation
Magna confirmed the move through a company spokesperson. The statement reads: “Magna confirms that the company has informed the employees at the Rosenberg site of the difficult decision to cease operations and close the plant.” The spokesperson cited a “comprehensive review of the plant’s long-term viability” as the reason, while also citing fluctuating industry dynamics and general business prospects. He further emphasized: “Unfortunately, no viable alternative could be found.”
Thus, Magna is taking a clean break in Rosenberg, even though the workforce had previously clung to the hope of a sale. The company presents the decision as the result of a review process, not as a short-term reaction. For the employees, however, the consequences are paramount: the site loses its future, while the search for alternative solutions shifts to transfers, severance packages, and new employers.
The timeline remains open, yet the dismantling process is already underway
Interestingly, Magna is apparently not rigidly adhering to the original end date, even though the closure is still being considered for the period up to the end of 2026. Instead of a definitive end date, the spokesperson announced that the site will be “gradually shut down over the next two years,” which is why the process is likely to unfold in several stages. According to previous reports, Magna already reduced its workforce by around 100 positions through a voluntary program at the beginning of 2025, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of employees. Therefore, according to these reports, the upcoming closure will affect approximately 220 employees, while the exact shutdown date remains open.
For many employees, the question thus shifts from “if” to “when,” while the economic impact begins immediately. While a phased dismantling can facilitate transitions, it also prolongs uncertainty. Furthermore, supply chains, shifts, and machine utilization must be adjusted, while the region simultaneously has to create new jobs.
Further cuts announced in Untergruppenbach by 2026
With the plant’s closure, Rosenberg is losing its largest employer, a blow that will hit a community of this size particularly hard. At the same time, a look at recent history shows that Magna hasn’t had to close everywhere. In 2023, the closure of another site was averted. Nevertheless, the situation remains tense for Baden-Württemberg. By the end of 2026, jobs are also slated to be cut at the Magna PT site in Untergruppenbach. This will further increase the pressure on the industrial labor market in the region.