Helsinki, Finland 09 December 2008 -- Metso has started personnel discussions regarding the workforce reduction of 65 people in Ersmark, Trelleborg, and Gällivare, Sweden. The measures are caused by the weakening of the global market, which has led to the reduction of the workload in production and customer projects.

The measures will commence in January 2009 at the earliest. The members of the staff have been informed about the planned changes and reduction of workforce.

Metso's units in Ersmark, Trelleborg, and Gällivare are part of the company's Mining and Construction Technology. Ersmark and Trelleborg specialize in wear products and spare parts with related expert services mainly to the mining and industrial minerals customers, whereas Gällivare is a mining sales and services location. The units employ a combined total of 722 persons.

Metso (www.metso.com) is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for mining and construction, power generation, automation, recycling, and the pulp and paper industries. We have over 28,000 employees in more than 50 countries.