Ahlstrom plans to reduce the production of winded roving in Karhula, Finland

Ahlstrom has today issued a proposal to start cooperation procedure at its glassfiber plant in Karhula, Finland. The negotiations starting on Monday, August 25 will concern the plant’s department producing winded roving, and can result in a reduction of 7 jobs at maximum. The reason for the negotiations is Ahlstrom’s strategic focus on producing roll goods. Additionally winded roving comprises only a small part of Ahlstrom’s Glass Nonwovens business.

In line with its strategy, Ahlstrom has during recent years focused on the production of roll goods in its Glass Nonwovens business. The largest product lines of the business area are glassfiber tissue and specialty reinforcements. Additionally the company produces smaller amounts of specific products, which include winded roving. The product is used e.g. as reinforcement in building industry, and accounts for 2-3 percent of the business area’s net sales.

In the future Ahlstrom will focus on serving its key customer base also in winded roving and plans to change from a two-shift production model to a one shift arrangement. The planned change can result in the reduction of 7 jobs at maximum in the winded roving department, which employs altogether 10 persons. The possible changes might take place during the end of 2008 and the beginning of 2009. The possibility to employ the potentially redundant employees through internal transfers at Ahlstrom’s Karhula and Mikkeli plants will be considered as part of the cooperation procedure.

Ahlstrom’s plant in Karhula is part of the company’s Glass Nonwovens business area, and it employs over 400 people.