Autoliv, Inc., the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems, announces it is accelerating its global structural cost reductions, particularly within its European operations.
- Adjusting geographic footprint and headcount
- Customer negotiations continue
- 2023 indications reiterated
- Investor Day on June 12, 2023
(Stockholm, Sweden, June 8, 2023) – Autoliv, Inc. (NYSE: ALV and SSE: ALIVsdb), the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems, announces it is accelerating its global structural cost reductions, particularly within its European operations. These actions support Autoliv’s medium- and long-term financial targets and the company reiterates its full year 2023 indications.
Autoliv continues to actively address its cost base to accelerate its journey towards its medium-term targets.
Adjusting geographic footprint and headcount
The accelerated structural cost reduction initiatives include further optimization of the Company’s geographic footprint and organizational structure, including a substantial reduction of its total direct and indirect workforce by up to 11%. Through these initiatives, Autoliv will simplify its logistics and geographic footprint and intends to close several sites in Europe.
These initiatives are expected to reduce up to 2,000 indirect positions globally, or around 11% of Autoliv’s total indirect workforce. Of this, up to 1,000 are expected to be in Europe. All divisions and functions will be impacted by these initiatives and the Company expects the first headcount reductions to occur in 2023.
To further drive global productivity and, specifically, direct labor efficiency, the Company also intends to reduce its global direct headcount. The Company anticipates that this will lead to a reduction of around 6,000 positions globally, or around 11% of total direct workforce, given today’s sales levels as baseline.
The measures will be defined in each country in compliance with the local regulations and within the framework of a dialogue with the social partners to determine the most appropriate provisions for the employees concerned.
The Company expects to accrue a minor part of the total accrual in the second quarter of 2023. The initiatives are expected to be fully implemented by 2025 and to have a pay-back time of 1-2 years.
“These initiatives will continue to optimize our geographic footprint for a more effective structure to best serve our customers while reducing costs and driving long-term improvement in margins and cash flow. We intend to simplify and consolidate how we operate in all areas. The headcount reduction will affect people based in our offices, technical centers, and plants, including leadership positions at all levels,” said Mikael Bratt, President and CEO of Autoliv.
Customer negotiations continue
The Company continues to negotiate with its customers to secure pricing that reflects the extraordinary inflation and corrects structural price gaps. The negotiations are progressing as planned with most customers albeit the quarterly timing of concluding updated customer agreements remains uncertain. The highest priority and greatest challenge are the customer negotiations in Europe.
“We work intensely with customers to secure price increases, and we will not stop until we have received full and fair compensation to ensure that inflationary pressures are effectively pushed through the value chain,” Mr. Bratt continued.
2023 indications reiterated
Based on the current market assumptions and expected outcome of customer negotiations, Autoliv reiterates its 2023 outlook indications from April 21, 2023, of around 8.5-9.0% adjusted operating margin and operating cash flow of around $900 million.
“Our full year 2023 indications and financial targets remain firm. We are expecting a gradually improving adjusted operating margin, which should allow us to deliver a significant increase in cash flow and shareholder returns,” said Mikael Bratt.
Investor Day on June 12, 2023
Autoliv is welcoming investors, analysts, and media to an Investor Day in Detroit on June 12, 2023 where it will focus on its journey towards the targets, its medium- and long-term growth, products and innovations for future mobility, and Autoliv’s opportunities in automation and operational efficiency. A webcast of the event will be available on autoliv.com.
SOURCE: Autoliv
Keyword: Autoliv accelerates structural cost reductions; reiterates its full year 2023 indications