Metso to end rubber parts production in Sweden with planned factory closure

Helsinki - Metso Corp. is to discontinue operations at its manufacturing site in Trelleborg, Sweden, the Finnish industrial group announced 14 Nov.

The group has initiated talks with unions towards closing the facility, which makes rubber parts for applications such as materials-handling in the mining industry.

Metso said it employs a total of 120 people in Trelleborg and if finalised, the plan to discontinue operations would impact up to 70 jobs by third quarter 2024.

“Our strategic target is to ensure an optimal supply-chain network and manufacturing capability globally,” said Metso consumables business area president Heikki Metsala.

The closure, added Metsala, will strengthen competitiveness and serve to achieve sustainable long-term performance.

This is Metso’s second rubber parts manufacturing facility to close down in recent years.

In 2020, the group shut down a rubber parts manufacturing operations in Ersmark, Sweden, affecting 150 jobs.

At the time, Metso said the closure would lead to a reconfiguration of its production at Trelleborg.

Metso aims to instead supply European customers from its factory in Siauliai, in northern Lithuania.

The Finnish group said it plans to “further strengthen” production capabilities at the Lithuanian unit, which has been operational since October 2020. 

Metso also has rubber-parts production factories in Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Peru, India, and Australia.