Displaying items by tag: finland

Stora Enso has signed an agreement with the European Investment Bank (EIB) for a EUR 165 million loan to be used for research and development. The loan agreement is part of the commitment by EIB to lend altogether EUR 230 million to Stora  Enso, including the EUR 65 million loan announced on 10 February 2010.          

“We have a long and good relationship with EIB. This is its third loan for Stora Enso's research and development projects. We are pleased with the competitive terms of the loan,” says Stora Enso CFO Markus Rauramo.                         

“Stora Enso invested EUR 71.1 million in research and development in 2009. Research and development concentrates on steering of networked strategic research as well as operations and product development in three research centres: Imatra in Finland, Karlstad in Sweden and Mönchengladbach in Germany. The Packaging Business Area, for instance, focuses its research and development on sustainable fibre-based packaging materials and solutions,” says Jukka Kilpeläinen, Senior Vice President, Group R&D.                                  

For further information, please contact:                                        
Jyrki Tammivuori, SVP, Group Treasurer, tel. +358 2046 21043                    
Ulla Paajanen-Sainio, Head of Investor Relations, tel. +358 2046 21242

Metso, the second largest company in the Tampere region, will relocate its more than one thousand energy and environmental technology experts currently working in Tampere to modern premises in the Rantaperkiö and Lahdesjärvi sections of Tampere. The target is to improve general operating conditions. These arrangements will also mean savings in fixed costs, including rents.

The “Metso House” in Rantaperkiö will become an internationally notable cluster of boiler and automation expertise for bioenergy solutions when the vast majority of Metso’s Power business line employees in Tampere, approximately 440 persons, move there in July 2010.

-Energy is one of Metso’s strategic growth areas. There is growing worldwide demand for know-how related to renewable energy sources, and in Tampere we can get the making of bioenergy solutions in Metso's Power and Automation businesses under one roof. The two business units already have joint customers and development projects. In the Metso House we want to strengthen cooperation and easy collaboration between different business areas, says Kai Mäenpää, Vice President, Capital Projects, Power business line.

The building already seats more than 500 Automation business line employees, so the Metso House will become a joint base of operations for more than one thousand energy and environmental technology experts.
The addition of several hundred commuters will also have an effect on public transportation planning in the area.

Production Competence Center in Lahdesjärvi
Metso’s Power business line also plans to establish a Production Competence Center at the property previously used by Metso’s Tampere Roll Factory in Lahdesjärvi. Relocating the majority of the current production lines of Power business line’s Tampere factory in Messukylä to the new Production Competence Center is planned for the turn of 2011.

The conversion of the Lahdesjärvi factory site for Power business line’s needs means a 6 million euro investment in redemption of the factory property, expansion of the production facilities, as well as production equipment.

- The new location is optimal for the transport of boiler prefabricates and central for personnel mobility. The production premises are planned to be expanded by about 3,000 square meters, says Olli Aalto, General Manager, Tampere Works, Power business line.

In addition to the production function, the new Production Competence Center will develop new and efficient production technology for boiler production and support Metso’s global production network with its production know-how. An extensive personnel training program will be implemented for this purpose.

The factory property was vacated by Metso’s Paper business line in 2009.

Metso is a major employer in the Tampere region

Metso is the second largest company by employees in the Tampere region. It has over 3,100 employees in Tampere and in Valkeakoski.

Metso is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for mining, construction, power generation, automation, recycling and the pulp and paper industries. We have about 27,000 employees in more than 50 countries. www.metso.com

For further press information, please contact:

Kai Mäenpää, Vice President, Capital Projects, Power business line, tel. +358 20 141 2410
Juha Parvela, Vice President, Production, Power business line, tel. +358 20 141 2600

Result for the first quarter of 2010
Sales EUR 602 million (Q1/2009: 623)

Operating result excluding non-recurring items EUR 39 million (-65). Operating result including non-recurring items EUR 49 million (-118).

Result before taxes excluding non-recurring items EUR 15 million (-62). Result before taxes including non-recurring items EUR 25 million (-115).

Earnings per share from continuing operations excluding non-recurring items EUR 0.03 (-0.18) and including non-recurring items EUR 0.06 (-0.32).

Events during the first quarter
In January, M-real made a partial early redemption of its 2010 bonds (originally EUR 400 million) with a nominal value of EUR 250 million.

M-real booked a positive EUR 12 million non-recurring item related to IT.

M-real announced price increases in all its main products.

"M-real's result improved further during the first quarter and we achieved a clearly positive net result. However, M-real's structural change is not ready yet; we have several measures underway to improve profitability further. The demand has improved in all of M-real's main products. M-real will increase the prices of all main products to cover increasing fibre costs."
CEO Mikko Helander

UPM has signed a preliminary contract for selling the real estate of its former further processing mill in Parkano, Finland. The premises are to be taken over by a wood processing company to be established by the mill's former local management.

UPM's Timber Business decided in January to centralise its further processing operations to the Aureskoski mill. At the same time the company announced the closure of the Parkano mill locating about 20 kilometres from Aureskoski.

UPM has transferred production from Parkano and Kaukas further processing mills to Aureskoski mill which has become one of the most significant distribution centres in Finland due to the widening product range.

Agreements of relocation to Aureskoski mill have been made with 12 Parkano employees to work in production and engineering duties. Manufacturing in production lines transferred from Parkano will begin in May.

From-job-to-job -programme proceeds in Parkano, Heinola and Lappeenranta

At the same time UPM announced the significant restructuring of the Plywood and Timber business the company started the From-job-to-job programme to alleviate the impacts of the mill closures. The programme includes, in cooperation with authorities and partner companies, active measures to find new jobs and retraining for the employees. UPM has reserved 1.5 million euros to support the participation in retraining and related material and 1 million euros support starting up new enterprises.

Within three months about 310 people from the 650 who were unemployed have found a new job, study place or entered a pension scheme. The new company that will start to operate in the mill premises aims to employ as many as possible of the former UPM employees given notice.

Only two new enterprises have been established within the From-job-to-job programme what is less than expected. UPM is encouraging employees to establish new enterprises by offering start-up support. The support can be applied for until the end of 2011, and the maximum support for an enterprise 20,000 euros. In addition, UPM supports re-employment training of employees who have been given notice.

UPM continues the work to find new business to the former mill premises. There have been over 250 connections to potential companies in the Heinola and Lappenranta regions. Negotiations concerning either renting or selling the mill premises have continued in both places. Any decisions haven't been made yet and negations continue.


For more information, please contact after 12.45 Finnish time:
Mr Tuomo Visanko, Senior Vice President, UPM, Forest and Timber Business Area,
tel. +358 20 415 6300
Mr Arto Halonen, Senior Vice President, UPM, Timber, tel. +358 40 823 2877
Mr Tapio Laine, Manager, HR, UPM, tel. +358 40 565 8472

UPM, Corporate Communications
Media Desk, tel. +358 40 588 3284
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Notes to editors
Aureskoski further processing mill employs around 70 persons and the annual capacity is 130,000 m³ of interior and structural products for construction.

UPM Timber produces sawn timber and further processed timber products to building and construction industry and joinery. The annual production capacity is 2,3 million cubic metres of timber products. UPM Timber has 12 production units in Austria, Finland, France and Russia. In Finland, UPM's sawmills are located in Lappeenranta, Kajaani, Pietarsaari, Korkeakoski and Pori. UPM Timber employs around 1,200 people, of which 800 in Finland.

UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 23,000 people and it has production facilities in 15 countries. In 2009, UPM's sales amounted to EUR 7.7 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange. UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upmbiofore.com and www.upm.com.

Suzano Papel e Celulose Ltda, Brazil, has awarded Pöyry a contract for pre-engineering and preparatory work for mill infrastructure for a 1.3 million t/a bleached eucalyptus market pulp mill to be built in the state of Maranhao, Brazil. The value of Pöyry's assignment is about EUR 7.3 million. The client is expected to make the final investment decision in spring next year.

The concept of the mill is based on the use of the best available technologies and the best environmental practices, which constitute a state-of-the-art level pulp mill. Using existing eucalyptus plantations as raw material, the mill is to produce more with less use of natural resources, at low production costs, progressive environmental impact reduction and minimum risk of accidents at work.

The assignment now received strengthens Pöyry's position as the leading engineering solutions provider for the pulp and paper sector in the world.

PÖYRY PLC

Additional information by:

Martin Kuzaj, President, Industry Business Group, Finland

Tel. +358 10 33 21179

Sanna Päiväniemi, Director, Investor Relations, Pöyry PLC, Finland

Tel. +358 10 33 23002

Pöyry is a global consulting and engineering company dedicated to balanced sustainability. We offer our clients integrated management consulting, total solutions for complex projects and efficient, best-in-class design and supervision. Our in-depth expertise extends to the fields of energy, industry, urban & mobility and water & environment. Pöyry has 7000 experts operating in about 50 countries, locally and globally. Pöyry's net sales in 2009 were EUR 674 million and the company's shares are quoted on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki (Pöyry PLC: POY1V).

DISTRIBUTION:

NASDAQ OMX Helsinki

Major media

www.poyry.com

(UPM, Helsinki, 28 April 2010 at 09:40) – Interim Report for January–March 2010:

• Operating profit excluding special items was EUR 116 million (loss of EUR 78 million)
• Operating cash flow was EUR 209 million (EUR 274 million)
• Positive development in delivery volumes in all businesses – sales grew by 10%

Jussi Pesonen, UPM’s President and CEO, comments on the result of the first quarter of 2010:

"UPM's operating profit improved clearly from the same period last year due to higher delivery volumes across all of our businesses and lower raw material costs. The Uruguayan operations were for the first time reported for a full quarter and contributed positively to the result.

Our first quarter sales increased by 10% from the same period last year. What is especially positive is that despite the clear increase of delivery volumes our fixed costs remained the same. However, our profitability continues to be unsatisfactory and everyday efforts to improve the situation will continue.

In Paper, delivery volumes improved especially in Asia and North America. The Paper business made an operating loss with average paper prices decreasing and fibre costs increasing from the same period last year. However, we succeeded in increasing the prices of fine and speciality papers due to good demand.

The results of Energy and Pulp business areas improved as we were able to take advantage of the good market situation. Also Label business continued the positive development which started last summer.

The Finnish stevedores' strike in March impacted all of our businesses negatively. The estimated direct impact of the strike totals about EUR 20 million affecting the first and second quarters of the year. The strike also had significant indirect impacts and we lost orders.

The volatility of the fibre markets raises concerns. The Finnish wood market was inactive at the beginning of the year. If the situation continues, it will first affect our Timber and Plywood businesses.

The recovery of advertising in print media is slow. Increased investment activity has not yet started to fully impact our businesses. However, paper demand in Europe is forecast to recover from 2009 and our paper deliveries are expected to be higher than last year. A similar development is taking place also in our other businesses.

We seem to have passed the bottom of demand and price cycle in our businesses. Therefore we expect the operating profit for 2010 to improve clearly from last year. However, variable costs are expected to increase by about 2% from last year", says Pesonen.

For more information please contact:
Mr Jussi Pesonen, President and CEO, UPM, tel. +358 204 15 0001
Mr Jyrki Salo, Executive Vice President and CFO, UPM, tel. +358 204 15 0011

UPM, Corporate Communications
Media Desk, tel. +358 40 588 3284
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

***
Conference call and press conference

UPM's President and CEO Jussi Pesonen will present the Interim Report for January–March 2010 in a conference call and webcast for analysts and investors, held in English, on 28 April at 13:00 Finnish time (11:00 London time, 06:00 EST).

Jussi Pesonen will also present the Interim Report for January–March 2010 in a press conference held in Finnish at UPM Group Head Office in Helsinki (main entrance, Eteläesplanadi 2) on 28 April 2010, at 14:15 Finnish time (12:15 London time, 07:15 EST).

Conference call and webcast details:

You can participate in the conference call either by dialling a number in the list below or following the webcast online at www.upm.com. Only participants who wish to ask questions in the conference call need to dial in. All participants can view the webcast presentation online.

We recommend that participants start dialling in 5–10 minutes beforehand to ensure the conference starts on time.

Conference call title: UPM-Kymmene Corporation Interim Report January-March 2010
Conference ID: 863677

Phone numbers:
US: +1 334 323 6203
Australia: +61 (0)28 2239 540
Hong Kong: +852 300 278 23
India Free: 000 8001 0036 74
Singapore: +65 6823 2171
Austria: +43 (0)268 2205 6293
Belgium: +32 (0)2 290 14 11
Czech Rep. :+420 (2)3900 0636
Denmark: +45 3271 4611
UK: +44 (0)207 1620 177
France: +33 (0)1 7099 3212
Germany: +49 (0)695 8999 0509
Hungary: +36 (0)618 8932 17
Ireland: +353 (0)1 4364 108
Italy: +39 023 0350 9005
Luxembourg: +352 2700 0734 18
Netherlands: +31 (0)20 7965 012
Norway: +47 (0)2 156 31 22
Spain: +34 917 889 897
Sweden: +46 (0)8 5052 0114
CH (GE): +41 (0)2 2592 7011
CH (ZH): +41 (0)434 5692 63

The webcast can be replayed at www.upm.com for 12 months.

***
It should be noted that certain statements herein which are not historical facts, including, without limitation, those regarding expectations for market growth and developments; expectations for growth and profitability; and statements preceded by ‘believes’, ‘expects’, ‘anticipates’, ‘foresees’ or similar expressions, are forward-looking statements. Since these statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, they involve risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to materially differ from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (1) operating factors such as continued success of manufacturing activities and the achievement of efficiencies therein including the availability and cost of production inputs, continued success of product development, acceptance of new products or services by the Group’s targeted customers, success of the existing and future collaboration arrangements, changes in business strategy or development plans or targets, changes in the degree of protection created by the Group’s patents and other intellectual property rights, and the availability of capital on acceptable terms; (2) industry conditions, such as strength of product demand, intensity of competition, prevailing and future global market prices for the Group’s products and the pricing pressures thereto, financial condition of the customers and the competitors of the Group, the potential introduction of competing products and technologies by competitors; and (3) general economic conditions, such as rates of economic growth in the Group’s principal geographic markets or fluctuations in exchange and interest rates.

ABB announced it is to engineer, deliver and commission the electrical systems to a new tissue production line supplied by Metso to SCA's new factory in Mexico. The delivery includes intelligent control and monitoring systems for power distribution, the new generation intelligent Motor Control Centers, frequency converters and high efficiency motors as well as a complete paper machine sectional drives system.

The delivery includes ABB's most recent application knowledge for the power distribution and motor control technique. The intelligent solution allows a higher degree of control and information transfer between the systems. ABB Process Industry unit from Vaasa, Finland, is responsible for the delivery, which it includes project management, engineering and site services.

START-UP 2010

"The electrical equipment, that drives the processes, is connected by modern field bus solutions into one functional system. By using the latest new generation products and applications know how the life cycle management and preventive maintenance of the system will be further enhanced", says Area Sales Manager Fredrik Grankull from ABB. The new line will produce 60,000 tons/yr of high-quality facial, toilet and towel tissue grades. The start-up is planned for summer and autumn 2010 and ABB deliveries are scheduled for the beginning of 2010. The production at the mill, which is situated close to Mexico City, will start at the end of 2010.

Metso acquires Viconsys web inspection and web break system business. The acquired business, comprising around 30 persons, will be affiliated to Metso’s Energy and Environmental Technology Segment as of today.

The target of the acquisition is to complement Metso’s product and service offering to the paper and other process industry. The expanding product offering will fit well to Metso's global sales and service network. Through this network, Metso is able to improve customer service for existing and new customers of acquired business.

Viconsys is known as an industry benchmark and global market leader in the machine vision technology. Within three years, it has been able to get more than one hundred delivery references.

Metso is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for mining, construction, power generation, automation, recycling and the pulp and paper industries. We have about 27,000 employees in more than 50 countries. www.metso.com

Further information for the press, please contact:
Pekka Vänni, Vice President, Business Development, Process Automation Systems Automation business line, Metso, tel. +358 40 552 8374

Further information for investors, please contact:
Marja Mäkinen, Investor Relations Manager, Metso Corporation, tel. +358 20 484 3211

Paper workers at the UPM Kymi paper and pulp mill in Finland started a strike today at 6 am. The reason for the strike is a dispute concerning the amount of lay offs announced at the mill last Friday. The strike has been announced to last until 3 May 2010 but the parties will continue negotiations. Estimated daily production and sales loss for paper is approximately 2,400 tonnes and for pulp approximately 1,600 tonnes.

The UPM Kymi pulp and paper mills annually manufacture 850,000 tonnes of coated and uncoated fine papers and 540,000 tonnes of chemical pulp. The Kymi mill integrate employs about 700 people.

For more information, please contact:
Mr Timo Suutarla, General Manager, UPM, Kymi, tel. +358 40 186 5995

On Thursday 22 April 2010 Stora Enso will announce its first quarter 2010 financial results and CEO message as two separate releases around 09:00 Finnish time (08:00 CET). The following event will take place later that day:

Webcast and conference call for analysts and investors

Topic: Q1 2010 Financial Results
Date: Thursday 22 April 2010
Time: 16:00 Finnish Time (15:00 CET, 14:00 BST, 09:00 EDT)

Webcast is hosted by Jouko Karvinen, CEO & Markus Rauramo, CFO and may be viewed on the Stora Enso website: www.storaenso.com/investors

Conference call dial-in details:

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| Live Event: | |
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| UK & International | +44 (0)20 7138 0825 |
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| Finland | (09) 2319 4344 |
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| Sweden | (08) 5352 6439 |
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| US | +1 212 444 0481 |
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| Confirmation Code: | 2879284 |
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| Replay: | |
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| UK & International | +44 (0)20 7111 1244 |
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| Finland | (09) 2310 1650 |
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| Sweden | (08) 5051 3897 |
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| US | +1 347 366 9565 |
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| Access Code: | 2879284# |
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The conference call replay will be available until 14:00 BST, Thursday 29 April
2010.
The webcast will be archived on www.storaenso.com/investors

For further information, please contact:
Ulla Paajanen-Sainio, SVP, Investor Relations, tel. +358 2046 21242
www.storaenso.com
www.storaenso.com/investors

Stora Enso is the world leader in forest industry sustainability. We offer our customers solutions based on renewable raw materials. Our products provide a climate-friendly alternative to many non-renewable materials, and have a smaller carbon footprint. Stora Enso is listed in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the FTSE4Good Index. Stora Enso employs some 27 000 people worldwide, and our sales in 2009 amounted to EUR 8.9 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki (STEAV, STERV) and Stockholm (STE A, STE R). In addition,
the shares are traded in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY) in the International OTCQX over-the-counter market.