Tractor parts supplier Preh may close its Thuringia plant, putting about 180 jobs at risk

Preh Thüringen GmbH, a German supplier of components for tractors and cars, may close its plant in Dippach, in the Werra-Suhl-Tal municipality of the Wartburgkreis district in Thuringia. According to the newspaper Thüringer Allgemeine, the site could shut down as early as the end of 2027. The company is owned by a Chinese parent.

The paper reports that a works meeting has already taken place, at which roughly 180 employees were prepared for the end of the plant. Representatives of the Chinese owner conveyed the news. The Thuringian site has operated for 36 years, so its closure would be a heavy blow to the local community.

A shortage of orders

The company's financial difficulties are attributed to missing orders worth tens of millions of euros. Over the past two years Preh has already cut 900 jobs worldwide. At its headquarters in Bad Neustadt an der Saale, in Lower Franconia, Bavaria, 420 positions were eliminated.

A report published in April 2026 on the company's website says the long-running difficult situation in the automotive industry has weighed on its business for some time and that revenue has fallen. The German sites are reportedly loss-making, while North America and China secure the business.

CEO Zhengxin "Charlie" Cai said in April that the company is examining further restructuring measures, including possible additional job cuts. No concrete decisions had been made at that point.

Products for tractor makers

Bad Neustadt and Dippach mainly produce control consoles for various tractor manufacturers. According to the outlet Tag24, customers include Fendt, John Deere and Claas. The company supplies these manufacturers with tractor drive levers and armrest control units.