Metso has decided to reduce a total of 44 positions in its minerals business in Tampere, Finland, after concluding employee negotiations.
The company originally planned to reduce about 75 jobs, and said that the employee negotiations are part of its transformation into a better focused company.
Metso Aggregates business line head Markku Simula said: "Our order volumes are affected by the market downturn in the minerals industry.
"The decisions that have now been made are necessary in order to maintain our competitiveness and achieve our financial targets. We need to increase the efficiency and productivity of our operations."
The company is also planning to continue temporary lay-offs in its minerals operations in the country during this year.
The number and duration of the lay-offs is expected to affect all personnel groups and will depend on the work load, as well as the quantity of orders secured.
A total of 725 of Metso’s 1,755 employees in Finland are currently employed in the minerals business.
Last August, the company announced closure of its mining equipment manufacturing plant in York, Pennsylvania, US, as of 31 March citing a volatile commodity market.
The closure is expected to affect about 80 employees currently employed at the plant.
Metso’s other business operations operating out of the York offices will not be affected due to this decision.
Image: Currently 725 of Metso’s employees in Finland are employed in the minerals business. Photo: courtesy of Suat Eman via FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
