Stora Enso Plans Consolidation of Spruce Production to One Sawmill in Finland

STORA ENSO OYJ INVESTOR NEWS 27 June 2019 at 14.10 EEST

HELSINKI, June 27, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Stora Enso plans to consolidate the Finnish spruce (whitewood) production to Varkaus sawmill. The plan includes a permanent closure of Kitee sawmill and production increase to Varkaus. The objective is to improve profitability and competitiveness by creating a fully integrated sawmill for spruce production in Varkaus, optimising the synergies from the existing LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber), pulp and board mills.

The consolidation plan is part of Stora Enso's profit protection programme of EUR 120 million targeting reductions in variable and fixed costs. The possible consolidation is subject to completion of the co-determination negotiations at Kitee sawmill which will start in August. The production at Kitee sawmill is planned to be stopped gradually until the end of 2019.

"The planned consolidation would enable us to optimise the full potential of Varkaus mill as an integrated mill, delivering a variety of value added wood products such as further processed sawn wood and LVL. This would provide us possibilities for improved product mix, stronger R&D and innovation as well as opportunities for efficient and automatised production. In Varkaus we also see strong synergies with Stora Enso's pulp and board mills when it comes to shared raw material, logistics, infrastructure and energy usage. This consolidation would further enhance Stora Enso's position as a global provider of high quality wood products and innovative wood-based solutions", says Jari Suominen, Head of Stora Enso's Wood Products division.

At Kitee sawmill the planned closure would result in a reduction of maximum 85 FTEs (full-time equivalents). Varkaus sawmill and LVL mill currently employ a total of 105 people. An increased production in Varkaus would require an additional 20 FTEs. Decisions regarding the planned consolidation, closure and employee reduction will be taken after the co-determination negotiations have been concluded.

Stora Enso will record restructuring related costs and write-downs of EUR 11 million as an item affecting comparability (IAC) in the second quarter 2019 results. Approximately EUR 5 million of the provisions will have a cash impact.

The planned closure would not have a significant impact on Group sales or operational EBIT this year.

Part of the bioeconomy, Stora Enso is a leading global provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, wooden constructions and paper. We believe that everything that is made from fossil-based materials today can be made from a tree tomorrow. Stora Enso has some 26 000 employees in over 30 countries. Our sales in 2018 were EUR 10.5 billion. Stora Enso shares are listed on Nasdaq Helsinki (STEAV, STERV) and Nasdaq Stockholm (STE A, STE R). In addition, the shares are traded in the USA as ADRs (SEOAY). storaenso.com 

CONTACT:
For further information, please contact:
Cathrine Wallenius
SVP Communications, Wood Products division
Tel. [phone]

Investor enquiries:
Ulla Paajanen
SVP, Investor Relations
tel. [phone]

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