Honeywell Safety Products Slovakia (source: Google Maps )
By autumn, Honeywell Safety Products Slovakia will permanently cease production at its factory in the central Slovak town of Partizánske, marking the end of the company’s presence in the country. The gradual closure, which began in 2023, will culminate in the dismissal of the remaining 137 employees by September, local officials confirmed on Wednesday.
Honeywell Safety Products Slovakia began operations in 1997, manufacturing protective equipment for armed forces, specialised footwear, and technical gloves. The American conglomerate Honeywell is a diversified group operating primarily in engineering, with a focus on developing technologies for industrial sectors including energy, aerospace and defence. One of its divisions specialises in the production of personal protective equipment, including gear for military use.
The industrial giant first announced its intention to relocate operations away from Slovakia — and eventually out of Europe entirely — in 2022, citing high labour costs as the primary reason for the move.
According to Forbes Slovakia, production is expected to be relocated to Tunisia, where Honeywell operates a manufacturing site and a branch of its Sensing & Productivity Solutions division in the coastal city of Nabeul.
Honeywell Safety Products Slovakia's sales (source: Finstat)
Honeywell Safety Products Slovakia's profit (source: Finstat)
“The company informed us back in 2022 that it would be winding down its activities in Slovakia and transferring production elsewhere,” said Jozef Božik, the mayor of Partizánske, speaking to the TASR newswire. “They began layoffs in January 2023. First 49 workers, then 29, and so on. Now, 137 more will be let go before September.”
Once a thriving employer in the region, the Honeywell facility produced protective footwear and safety equipment and employed around 500 people just seven years ago. The town of Partizánske has long been associated with shoe manufacturing.
According to Božik, the company ultimately chose a destination where total employee costs, including contributions, amount to just $400 per month — a stark contrast to Slovakia’s higher wage and social costs.
The closure, while significant, comes as the unemployment rate in the Partizánske district remains relatively low, at 3.04 percent, based on the most recent data. Still, the loss of stable industrial jobs is likely to affect the local economy.
Mayor Božik added that the town is expected to announce a new investment in May, one that could bring hundreds of new jobs to the region.
