RAAL Bistrița

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RAAL SA, a major Romanian manufacturer of heat exchangers and radiators for automotive and industrial applications, announced 250 layoffs at its Bistrița facility in January 2026 due to reduced orders from the automotive sector. UPDATE (April 22, 2026): A second wave of 500 additional layoffs was announced, with pre-notice issued in April 2026 and dismissals expected from June 2026. Total affected: 750 employees out of ~1,285. The Bistrița-Năsăud County Employment Agency (AJOFM) confirmed the notification and warned of a significant rise in local unemployment from June 2026. Financial difficulties and declining demand for auto parts (transition to EVs, Asian competition) are cited as causes. UPDATE (June 2026): The 500 employees who received notices in April 2026 officially entered the unemployment system in June 2026 as their 30-day notice periods expired. Total layoffs at RAAL now confirmed at 750 out of the original 1,285 workforce. Bistrița-Năsăud County total collective layoffs surpassed 900 in 2026, with RAAL accounting for the majority. The local labor market is unable to absorb the displaced workers, and AJOFM organized job fairs targeting HoReCa, construction, and agriculture sectors.