On 17 April 2012, First Solar announced major restructuring plans, including a 30% reduction in its staff to improve its cost profile. As part of the restructuring effort, First Solar will close its manufacturing facilities in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany in the fourth quarter of 2012. Additionally, the company will indefinitely idle four lines at its Kulim, Malaysia manufacturing complex. In total, First Solar will reduce production capacity by 860 MW across the two sites. Key trends in this On Point include: North America pipeline will sustain First Solar in the near term. Germany plant closure marks First Solar's retreat from Europe. Chinese suppliers grow at home as First Solar sees mixed results in Asia. Unsubsidized market focus at odds with utility-scale system strategy.
On 17 April 2012, First Solar announced major restructuring plans, including a 30% reduction in its staff to improve its cost profile. As part of the restructuring effort, First Solar will close its manufacturing facilities in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany in the fourth quarter of 2012. Additionally, the company will indefinitely idle four lines at its Kulim, Malaysia manufacturing complex. In total, First Solar will reduce production capacity by 860 MW across the two sites. Key trends in this On Point include: