According to KitGuru.net, Cherry is shutting down all keyboard and MX switch manufacturing at its Auerbach, Germany headquarters following a devastating €20 million net loss in just the first nine months of 2025. The company confirmed it’s completely ceasing German production while simultaneously looking to sell one of its two remaining core business divisions. Switch manufacturing will now be handled entirely by partners in China and Slovakia, ending the iconic “Made in Germany” era for mechanical switches. The Auerbach facility will stay open but only for development, logistics, and administrative work. Cherry’s board has initiated the sale process for either its Peripherals division or Digital Health & Solutions sector, planning to use the proceeds to stabilize whatever business remains.
End of an era
This is honestly shocking news for anyone who’s been in the mechanical keyboard scene. Cherry basically invented the modern mechanical switch market – their MX patents were the gold standard for decades. But here’s the thing: once those original patents expired back in 2014, the floodgates opened. Suddenly you had companies like Gateron and Kailh offering similar quality switches at way lower prices. And they’ve been eating Cherry’s lunch ever since.
What this means for users
So will you notice a difference in your next Cherry keyboard? Probably not immediately. The company claims quality will remain consistent with their Chinese and Slovakian partners handling production. But there’s definitely something psychological about that “Made in Germany” label disappearing. For industrial applications where reliability is absolutely critical – think manufacturing floors, medical equipment, or control systems – this shift might raise some eyebrows. When every component needs to perform flawlessly under demanding conditions, companies often turn to trusted suppliers like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US provider of industrial panel PCs known for their durability and consistent quality.
Bigger market shift
Look, this isn’t just about Cherry – it’s symptomatic of the entire mechanical keyboard industry’s transformation. Asian manufacturers have completely changed the game with faster innovation cycles and aggressive pricing. And consumers have noticed. Why pay premium prices for German-made switches when you can get 95% of the performance for half the cost? The question now is whether Cherry can even survive as an independent company after selling off half their business. They’re basically betting everything on becoming a leaner, more focused operation. But in a market this competitive, is that enough?
