The Finnish Metsä Group has announced that it will enter into group-wide negotiations with the workforce as part of a 300 million euro programme to improve profitability and efficiency. Up to 800 jobs could be affected by the planned measures.
Metsä Group is initiating legally required negotiations in all business areas and Group functions. The aim is to strengthen profitability and operational performance. According to initial estimates, the planned measures could result in the loss of around 800 permanent jobs, including around 540 in Finland. In total, the company employs around 9,600 people worldwide, 5,600 of whom work in its home market.
Back in July, Metsä Group announced a savings and efficiency programme worth 300 million euros. This programme is now to be implemented. As CEO Jussi Vanhanen explained, the uncertainties in global trade, unfavourable exchange rate developments and rising raw material and energy costs have had a particularly negative impact on profitability. „We have to tackle the things that are within our control and adapt our structures in order to remain competitive in the long term,“ said Vanhanen.
No permanent plant closures
In particular, the programme aims to reduce procurement and logistics costs and increase efficiency in the timber supply chain. Structural adjustments to reduce fixed costs and measures to improve variable costs are also planned.
According to the company, there is no talk of permanent plant closures. The development of new business projects - including Muoto, Kuura, lignin and bio-based CO₂ separation - will continue as planned. Provisions for the programme are to be recognised in the results for the fourth quarter of 2025.
Source: Metsä Group
