M-real Oyj, which produces the Galerie Art range of woodfree coated reels and sheets for Sappi Europe, has today announced that it will initiate a consultation process with the employees of its Äänekoski mill in accordance with Finnish labour law. Such consultation might result in the definitive closure of paper machine 2 (PM2). Sappi Europe has therefore established a contingency plan to ensure that it maintains an uninterrupted supply of products to its customers.
Sappi Europe and M-real Oyj have agreed that, in case of a cessation of production at Äänekoski mill, the supply of Galerie Art woodfree coated reels would be transferred to M-real’s Husum mill in Sweden. Sappi Europe would remain the exclusive seller of coated paper produced by M-real’s Husum mill.
With regard to the supply of Galerie Art woodfree coated sheets produced at Äänekoski Mill, this production would be transferred to other Sappi sites in Europe.
Mr Marco Eikelenboom, Director Marketing & Sales at Sappi Europe comments: “I can assure our customers of the Galerie Art product range, and in particular our large customer base in the Nordic, Baltic and Russian markets that we remain fully committed to the continuation of this business and that we do not anticipate any supply interruptions, regardless of the outcome of the consultation process. Sappi’s local sales representatives stand ready to answer any queries that customers may have.”
END
NOTE TO EDITORS: Sappi Fine Paper Europe (SFPE) acquired the entire coated graphic paper business of M-real Oyj on the 1st of January 2009. Under this transaction paper machine (PM) 8 at Husum Mill (PM8) and PM2 at Äänekoski Mill remained under M-real’s ownership. However, Sappi acquired the exclusive right to distribute the entire coated graphic output of Husum Mill PM8 and Äänekoski Mill PM2.
Issued by:
Brunswick South Africa on behalf of Sappi Limited and SFPE
Tel + 27 11 502 7300
Fax + 27 11 268 5747
For further information contact:
Marco Eikelenboom
Director Marketing & Sales
Sappi Fine Paper Europe
Tel: +32 (0)2 676 9741
Mobile: +32 (0)475 75 63 96
Marco.Eikelenboom@sappi.com
Claudia Hammerich
Manager Corporate Communications
Sappi Fine Paper Europe
Tel: +32 2 676 97 84
Mobile:+32 472 61 89 66
Claudia.Hammerich@sappi.com
