Italian Furniture Maker Natuzzi Faces Factory Closures and Relocation
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Italian Furniture Maker Natuzzi Faces Factory Closures and Relocation
- Italian furniture manufacturer Natuzzi plans to cut 479 jobs and close two plants in Puglia as part of its 2026-2028 industrial plan.
- The company, led by founder Pasquale Natuzzi, has cited financial difficulties, high production costs, and the impact of US tariffs as reasons for restructuring and relocating some manufacturing to Romania.
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Natuzzi, a prominent Italian furniture manufacturer, is undergoing a significant restructuring that includes the planned closure of two factories in Puglia, specifically the Altamura and Jesce 2 plants in Santeramo in Colle. This move is part of the company’s 2026-2028 industrial plan, which also proposes 479 redundancies.
For several years, Natuzzi has been gradually relocating parts of its production, particularly for its “Natuzzi Editions” brand, to facilities in Romania, China, and Brazil. The company’s rationale for these relocations includes reducing labor costs, improving profitability, and navigating a challenging business environment, exacerbated by factors like US tariffs. Natuzzi’s President and CEO, Pasquale Natuzzi, stated in May 2026 that relocating production capacity from Italy is essential due to current costs, positioning Romania as a new production center. However, products under the luxury “Natuzzi Italia” brand are intended to continue being manufactured exclusively in Italy.
The restructuring plans have met strong opposition from Italian trade unions, including CG