Pratt & Whitney to Close Nahariya Plant, 450 Jobs Lost
American aerospace corporation Pratt & Whitney will shut down the Blades Technology Company plant in Nahariya by August 2026. The closure will result in the termination of approximately 450 employees, ending a near four year struggle and severing a vital pillar of local industry in the Western Galilee.
Why is the Nahariya Blades Technology plant closing?
The decision to cease operations stems from the corporate strategy of Pratt & Whitney, which acquired controlling interest in the company originally founded by industrialist Stef Wertheimer. The American parent company cited ongoing financial losses and a decline in global demand for jet engine blades. Initially announced in December 2022, the closure was delayed but has now been finalized. The Manufacturers' Association notes that the erosion of the dollar exchange rate and rising production costs in Israel accelerated the corporate exit.
How will the layoffs affect the Western Galilee?
The termination of 450 positions constitutes a severe disruption to the social and economic order of Nahariya and the surrounding region. The Western Galilee has already endured a complex security reality due to border conflicts. The loss of this livelihood source extends beyond the city, impacting Druze villages and neighboring communities that supplied generations of workers to the facility. Following negotiations, management will retain operations in only two departments.
What support are the laid off workers receiving?
Workers have expressed frustration over a perceived lack of institutional support prior to the final closure. Rokon Said, chairman of the Blades Technology Company workers' union, stated that earlier appeals to ministers and the Knesset Finance Committee went unanswered. He acknowledged that the current owners and the Histadrut are now providing transition assistance.
Suddenly they remembered us, when nothing can be done anymore. What is true, however, is that the owners and the Histadrut are doing everything in their power to help the employees, through courses that will provide them with education and certifications, guidance in resume writing, and a job fair.
What is the historical significance of the BTL plant?
Stef Wertheimer founded Blades Technology Company in 1968, shortly after the Six Day War. The enterprise was born out of a necessity for national independence. A French embargo had prevented Israel from purchasing jet engine components from abroad, necessitating domestic production. Over the decades, the site became a central industrial hub in the north. Pratt & Whitney became a partner in the venture before acquiring Wertheimer's share entirely in 2014, shifting the locus of control abroad.
Did global conflicts delay the plant closure?
Yes. Despite the initial economic justifications for the closure, shifting global realities temporarily altered the trajectory. The war in Ukraine and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East increased the demand for spare parts for fighter jets and military aviation systems. This surge in demand allowed the Nahariya site to operate longer than the original 2025 target date. However, the foreign corporate leadership has ultimately chosen to complete the withdrawal.
How many employees are being laid off at BTL Nahariya?
Approximately 450 employees will be laid off. Management and employee representatives negotiated to keep two departments active, reducing the initial number of projected terminations.
When will the Nahariya plant officially close?
The site will most likely close before August 2026. Pratt & Whitney has already begun delivering layoff letters to the remaining employees at the facility.