Varese, Meta System saved by a German fund: no layoffs for the 250 employees of the Mornago plant

5 Jun 2025

The threat of closure that loomed over the giant that makes electrical components for the auto sector seems to have receded. The Certina fund takes over from the Chinese ownership that unions had been fighting against for months, with strikes and demonstrations

Last December's strike at Meta System in Mornago

Varese, 5 June 2025 – The rescue of the Meta System Group – the giant specializing in the production of electrical components for the automotive sector, including circuit boards for electric car batteries – has been concluded with the decision of the Bologna court to award the company to the German fund Certina . Yesterday, in fact, Certina filed a purchase proposal at the auction called by the court, as the only company to participate in the tender.

Varese, Metasystem plunges into crisis again and 250 employees strike indefinitely. Unions against Chinese ownership: “Relaunch commitments not met”

The news was officially announced, not without a sigh of relief, by the union representatives of the metalworking sector of the three confederations Cgil, Cisl and Uil in a joint note: " For the over 500 employees of Meta System, which has several plants in Reggio Emilia and one in Mornago , in the province of Varese, with 250 employees, the transition to the new company will be guaranteed for everyone, thanks to the union agreement stipulated by Fim Fiom Uilm".

A picket of workers at the Mornago plant

Negotiations and strikes

Last December and in March of this year, the unions recall, workers fought with indefinite strikes to obtain better conditions and guarantees for their jobs. "Now, thanks to the acquisition and the agreements reached , employment continuity will be guaranteed together with the safeguarding of the company's collective bargaining, in addition to a commitment by the company to advance the INPS contributions due during the use of social safety nets".

Varese, new cold shower for Meta System: the German fund gives up (for now) on making a purchase offer

" The Meta System story does not end here – declare Fim Fiom Uilm –. A great result has been achieved thanks to the struggles and participation of workers, but now we expect the industrial plan presented to the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy to be implemented to guarantee greater production volumes on the Italian sites".

Workers and trade unionists in front of the Ministry of Enterprise last February, awaiting the conclusion of yet another summit

Accounts in the red

Even at the beginning of spring, dark clouds and extreme uncertainty had characterized the atmosphere inside the giant, both in its factories in Emilia and in the one in Mornago, Varese. In February, after seven uninterrupted days of strike, the 450 employees in Emilia and the 250 in Varese seemed to have seen new prospects for their future. Hopes that had dashed again in March, when the Chinese ownership had, according to the unions, failed to meet the commitments made for the relaunch of production and a serious industrial plan that would fully involve the main world car manufacturers, including BMW, Porsche and Volvo. However, Meta System must deal with a balance sheet that needs to be re-adjusted, starting with the rather heavy debt: 235 million euros of debt, mostly towards suppliers.

Who is Certina?

The Certina fund is an industrial holding company based in Grünwald, Bavaria , active since 1997. Specialized in investments in small and medium-sized European companies in transition or difficulty, it has made over 65 acquisitions in various sectors, including manufacturing, automotive and technology. Currently, the group includes 20 corporate platforms including the Scv of Induno Olona.