The negotiations will start on 1 June 2009 and concern all personnel at the plant. The possible layoffs, and efforts already underway to make cost savings, are designed to reduce production volumes of speciality glass reinforcements and glass fibre tissue to match demand.
Ahlstrom says these actions are expected to result in temporary layoffs for approximately 150 people at the Karhula plant. The duration of the temporary layoffs is expected to be less than 90 days and they are estimated to start during the autumn of 2009.
Ahlstrom started reducing production at its Karhula plant earlier this year. The company has already announced temporary layoffs for approximately 150 manual employees and majority of the 100 non-manual employees of the plant between March and August 2009. The Karhula plant is part of Ahlstrom's Glass & Industrial Nonwovens Business Area and employs approximately 400 people.
