“沉痛打击”！“法国工业象征”之一破产，自明日起无法支付工资

Core Viewpoint - Brandt, a renowned French appliance manufacturer, has been officially placed into judicial liquidation, marking the end of its operations and putting approximately 700 employees at risk of unemployment [1][3][10] Group 1: Company Background - Brandt was founded in 1902 and has over a century of brand history, entering the home appliance market in 1946 [3] - The company was the largest home appliance manufacturer in France and the fourth largest high-end appliance brand in Europe as of 2020 [3] - Brandt operates in 36 countries and regions, with an annual revenue of €260 million [8] Group 2: Recent Developments - The Nanterre Commercial Court's decision to liquidate Brandt was met with sadness from the French Ministry of Economy and Finance, and it was described as a "painful blow" to French industry [3][10] - Despite efforts to implement a cooperative takeover plan, the court did not approve it, and the company is projected to be unable to pay salaries after December 15 [10] Group 3: Market Challenges - Brandt has faced severe financial difficulties due to declining sales linked to a sluggish real estate market and competition from foreign brands and smaller kitchen appliances favored by younger consumers [8][10] - The situation reflects the increasing difficulty for the home appliance industry in France and Europe to remain competitive against low-cost products [10]