The co-determination negotiations at UPM’s timber components and planing mills in Luumäki have been concluded with the company deciding to close the operation.

The purpose of the negotiations was to clarify options for continuing the operations of the timber component mill in a situation where the mill has been unprofitable for a long time. Simultaneously, the competitiveness and the market situation of the mill’s component products have weakened notably. As for the planing operations, the alternatives to continue the operations at Luumäki were investigated. “Based on the negotiations, UPM has decided to close down the operations of Luumäki production units and discontinue the production of timber components in Luumäki,” the company stated. “The operations will cease during 2008. UPM has decided to concentrate the planing operations to its other mills.” UPM is actively seeking to relocate the Luumäki personnel, some 50 people, to other UPM mills.