Metso concluded the employee negotiations in Sundsvall and Karlstad, Sweden

Published Jan 21, 2009 16.00.00 +2 GMT

Metso has concluded employee negotiations regarding reduction of personnel at their Fiber business line units in Karlstad and Sundsvall, Sweden. The measures are caused by the weakening of the global market situation, which has led to changes in order schedules and a reduction in the amount of work.

In Sundsvall the reduction notice applied to 98 people. The personnel negotiations initiated on November 24, 2008 were concluded on January 8, 2009. The reductions will concern 98 persons in regular employment. The units in Sundsvall employ approximately 650 persons.

In Karlstad the reduction notice applied to 40 people. The personnel negotiations initiated on November 18, 2008 were concluded on January 15, 2009. The reductions will concern 40 persons in regular employment. The units in Karlstad employ a total of 245 persons.

At both locations the reductions will commence immediately, according to legal terms of notice. The one-time costs related to these arrangements are not significant for Metso in 2009.

Metso's units in Sundsvall and Karlstad are part of the company's Fiber business line. They supply machinery and equipment, as well as aftermarket and expert services for chemical and mechanical pulp mills. Altogether Metso employs more than 3,100 people in Sweden.

Metso is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for mining, construction, power generation, automation, recycling and the pulp and paper industries. We have over 29,000 employees in more than 50 countries. www.metso.com

For more information, please contact: Lars Dahlqvist, President, Metso Paper Sundsvall AB and SVP, Chemical Pulping Unit, Tel. +46 70 606 80 90 Per-Åke Färnstrand, President, Fiber business line and President, Metso Karlstad Fiber AB, Tel. +46 70 633 39 46 Staffan Björklund, Managing Director, Metso Fiber Karlstad Service Center AB, Tel. +46 70 567 23 33