Metso begins temporary layoffs consultations

(PHOTO: Metso)

The manufacturer said: “New orders for Metso’s Tampere factory in the Aggregates business area have remained low.

“Additionally, delays in material deliveries and the increased inventories of finished goods are limiting the manufacturing capability. Therefore, measures are needed to adjust manufacturing to meet the temporarily lower production volumes.”

According to the crushing and screening equipment manufacturer, to scale back production at the site it will need to implement fixed-term layoffs, with a maximum duration of 90 days.

Metso, which employs over 17,000 people in almost 50 countries and reported 2023 sales of €5.4 billion, did not comment on how many employees might be affected by the possible layoffs.

The company did say, however, that if the plans were to go ahead, after the employee consultation process was complete, that they would be implemented during the rest of 2024. 

While Metso described the shift to the lower production rate as “temporary”, multiple OEMs operating in the demolition and recycling equipment sector - including Shearcore and Epiroc - have reported slower activity in the construction sector in recent months. 

Delivery times for customers that have already ordered equipment, however, are unlikely to be affected by the shift.

Epiroc still on record high, despite “weak” construction demand Q4 results show “demand from construction customers is expected to remain soft,” says company’s CEO