Helsinki, Finland, 25 September 2009 -- Metso has concluded the employee negotiations started on 21 September 2009, in MW Biopower Oy’s Kiuruvesi production unit in Finland.

As a result of the negotiations, the maximum number of temporary lay-offs is 44 persons, all employees in the production. The temporary lay-offs of up to 90 days are implemented gradually according to work load. In the first phase, 12 people will be temporarily laid off. The temporary lay-offs will take effect on 12 October 2009. These temporary lay-offs are made to adjust operations in response to a decreasing order backlog.

In addition to temporary lay-offs, production capacity is reduced because of structural changes in the business operations by approximately six man-years of work during 2010 through pension arrangements.

MW Biopower Oy is part of Metso-Wärtsilä joint venture, MW Power Oy, a company offering power and heating plant solutions based on renewable fuels. The Kiuruvesi unit employs approximately 90 people. The production unit manufactures structures for power and heating and plants.

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