Nesher dismisses one-third of Haifa workforce

Nesher Israel Cement Enterprises laid of 20 workers at its Haifa cement plant – around a third of the site’s workforce, due to a decline in output.

Israel’s largest cement producers is reportedly undergoing further downsizing with further steps expected at its Ramla works.

The dismissals come in the wake of the entry of cheap cement from Turkey and Greece, which has seen Hartuv Cement come under considerable pressure.

"From a market share of 75 per cent we have fallen to 65 per cent. If you ask me, I think we are getting close to 60 per cent, and we have had to cut prices," Nesher CEO, Moshe Kaplinsky said in an interview with G Magazine six months ago. Nesher's market share is currently estimated at 60 per cent.

Nesher supported Hartuv Cement’s petition to the Commissioner of Trade Levies in Israel's Ministry of Economy and Industry for the imposition of a dumping levy to protect local production from cheap imports.