Ahlstrom negotiates on closing down paper machine in Barcelona
Ahlstrom Corporation STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 6.11.2009
Ahlstrom Corporation, a leading manufacturer of nonwovens and specialty papers, has today started a cooperation procedure on a possible closure of a paper machine for filtration materials at its manufacturing plant in Barcelona, Spain. The decision to start the cooperation procedure is based on a review related to Ahlstrom's global restructuring program launched in April and due to the global overcapacity in some filtration materials.
The negotiations with the representatives of the personnel concern all employees of the plant excluding the sales office. The plant employs 92 persons, of whom 10 work at the sales office. The possible adjustments are estimated to result in a reduction of approximately 45 positions impacting both blue-collar and white-collar employees.
The Barcelona plant produces filtration media for transportation and liquid applications. In addition to the paper machine, the plant operates a saturator, slitter winders, liquid converters and a warehouse, which are not impacted by the planned adjustments.
Despite the possible adjustments, the Barcelona plant will continue to supply its local customers with the current product portfolio and service supported by Ahlstrom's plants in Turin, Italy, and Mount Holly Springs, USA. The Turin plant is the main manufacturing site of filtration materials for Ahlstrom's customers in Europe, Middle East and Africa.
In addition to Europe, Ahlstrom manufactures filtration media in North and South America as well as in Asia.
For further information, please contact:
Tommi Björnman
Senior Vice President, Filtration
Tel. +39 011 92 60 224
Mobile +39 349 441 1034
Seppo Parvi
CFO
Tel. +358 10 888 4768
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Ahlstrom in brief
Ahlstrom is a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of high performance nonwovens and specialty papers. Ahlstrom's products are used in a large variety of everyday applications, such as filters, wipes, flooring, labels, and tapes. Based upon its unique fiber expertise and innovative approach, the company has a strong market position in several business areas in which it operates. Ahlstrom's 6,000 employees serve customers via sales offices and production facilities in more than 20 countries on six continents. In 2008, Ahlstrom's net sales amounted to EUR 1.8 billion. Ahlstrom's share is quoted on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. The company website is at www.ahlstrom.com.