UPM to close Keuruu veneer mill

UPM has decided to close the Keuruu veneer mill after concluding negotiations about the future of the facility.

Discussions had centred on clarifying options for continuing operations in light of decreasing log availability for veneers and the need to improve profitability in the veneers business.

UPM has decided to concentrate manufacture of birch veneer at Lohja Veneer Mill and discontinue production of thin veneer plywood altogether.

Operations at Keuruu will cease in spring 2008, with staff being given the opportunity to relocate to other plywood and veneer mills.