Italy's industry minister Carlo Calenda said on Monday there are three investors interested in re-developing US-owned electrical appliances manufacturer Embraco's plant in northwest Italy, which employs over 500 people.
"I can confirm that there are three investors interested," Calenda said in reference to Embraco's factory in Riva di Chieri near Turin, where last month the government brokered a deal to halt to the firing of 497 employees as part of Embraco's plan to close the plant and switch production to Slovkia.
"We have given ourselves until 23 April when the first meeting has been fixed," Calenda added.
Calenda made the remarks after a meeting on Monday at between union and Embraco representatives the industry ministry in Rome.
Italy raised the case with the European Commission after Embraco - a subsidiary of US white goods giant Whirlpool - said in January it would close its Riva di Chieri factory, fire 497 out of 537 workers there and shift production to Slovakia.
"Commissioner (Margrethe) Vestager is investigating and I am waiting for a reply. There is no specific time-frame but I hope to receive an answer this month," Calenda said.
At Italy's request, Vestager is to establish whether Slovakia has breached European Union state aid rules and if Rome can intervene to save the plant without breaching those same rules.
