Metso's foundry extension inaugurated in Jyväskylä, Finland

Published Feb 8, 2008 15.00.00 +2 GMT

The extension of Metso Paper's Rautpohja Foundry was inaugurated today in Jyväskylä, Finland. The investment will increase the casting capacity and hence shorten the delivery times, expecially in regard to replacement rolls and cylinders for the service business, one of the main growth areas of Metso Paper. The new resources will enable casting of rolls and shafts for even over 12-meter-wide paper and board machines. The value of the total investment in roll and cylinder production, including earlier-made machine investments, is over EUR 20 million.

"In Metso we focus very actively on developing our operations and products, and this investment is a proof of this. Rolls are one of the key components in a paper machine, and manufacturing them calls for top-class capabilities and competences both of the facilities and of the personnel. Both of these prerequisites are present here at Jyväskylä", expressed Mr. Jorma Eloranta, President and CEO of Metso Corporation, in his inauguration speech.

"The foundry extension has been a very significant project for us. The foundry, together with the paper and board machine works and the adjacent roll workshop, form a unique logistics entity which enables Metso Paper to further strengthen its position as a leading technology supplier to the paper and board industry", says Mr. Reima Kerttula, Senior Vice President, Paper and Board Machines.

With the extension investment, the casting capacity of the foundry will increase from 300 to even 500 roll and shaft castings annually.

The investment comprised a new 3,000 sqm foundry hall, the height of which is 25 m and the depth 15 m, thus enabling handling of long objects. In addition, the extension includes, among other things, a melting furnace with loading equipment, heat treatment furnace and five cranes, the lifting capacity of the biggest of them being 140 tonnes. Energy consumption and environmental aspects have also been in focus: all the exhaust air will be filtered and the furnace equipped with heat recovery system.

In addition to new foundry technology, much attention has been paid to safe and pleasant working environment and ergonomy. The number of personnel working in the new foundry hall will be 20.

Metso is a global engineering and technology corporation with 2007 net sales of approximately EUR 6 billion. Its almost 27,000 employees in approximately 50 countries serve customers in the pulp and paper industry, rock and minerals processing, the energy industry and selected other industries. www.metso.com

For more information, please contact: Reima Kerttula, SVP, Paper and Board machines, Metso Paper Tel. +358 40 648 458, reima.kerttula@metso.com