Metso to cut 44 jobs in its Finnish Minerals business

448 Metso is axing 44 jobs in its Minerals business in Finland, mostly in Tampere, in response to reduced customer equipment orders. The job losses follow employee negotiations and are down from the 75 jobs originally earmarked to go. The Finnish crushing and screening manufacturing giant says the job cuts are part of a strategy to make the company a leaner and more agile operation, focused on growth and profitability.

"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," said Markku Simula, head of Metso's Aggregates business line.
 
Metso will also continue temporary lay-offs in its Minerals operations in Finland during 2016. The number and duration of the temporary lay-offs depends on the work load and the volume of orders received and may affect all personnel groups.  

Personnel affected by the lay-offs are being helped through Metso’s employment support program, which offers assistance with re-employment and possible relocation support.

Currently, Metso has a total of 1,755 employees in Finland, with 725 of them employed in the Minerals business.