Embraco to close Italian factory

ITALY: Embraco has confirmed the closure of its Italian refrigeration compressor factory.

The closure of the former Aspera factory in Riva di Chieri near Turin will mean 497 job losses.

The announcement follows moves to cut production at the factory last year and transfer it to other factories in the group.

Embraco, part of the Whirlpool group, says it will maintain a sales office in Italy.

Founded in the seventies as Aspera, part of the Fiat group, it was acquired by American white goods manufacturer Whirlpool in 1984. Whirlpool subsequently bought Brazilian compressor manufacturer Embraco in 1997.