Completion of Ruukki Construction’s negotiations to reduce workforce in Finland

The employer-employee negotiations initiated in Finland in October affected most of Ruukki Construction’s employees in Finland in production, sales and support functions, a total of 434 persons at several sites including Alajärvi, Espoo, Helsinki, Hämeenlinna, Kouvola, Kuopio, Oulainen, Oulu, Pietarsaari, Pori, Seinäjoki, Tampere, Turku, Vaasa, Vimpeli and Ylivieska. When the negotiations began, it was estimated that there was a need to reduce the workforce by a maximum of 85 persons. As a result of the negotiations, a total of 61 persons (22 front-line employees and 39 office employees) will lose their jobs. The plan is to implement most of workforce reductions during the first half of 2016. Some of the workforce reductions will be effected through natural attrition.

Ruukki Construction has launched a new cost-savings program across its business in all countries where it operates. The negotiations now completed are part of this program, which seeks to achieve a permanent cost impact on an annual basis of at least SEK 200 million in processing, administration, marketing and sales costs, with full impact from 2017 onwards. These costs savings will seek to ensure business profitability and improve operational efficiency. Divisionwide in different countries, there is a need to reduce the workforce by a total of approximately 300 persons. Ruukki Construction will consider additional structural changes to its operations during the second phase of the program if the market situation remains weak.

Ruukki Construction is responsible for the sales and production of energy-efficient building and construction solutions. Ruukki Construction also includes Plannja, which was earlier part of the SSAB EMEA business area.

For more information, please contact:
Taina Kyllönen, Executive VP Communications, tel. +358 20 592 9040
Jarmo Tonteri, CEO, Ruukki Construction, tel. +358 20 593 8837