Helsinki (News release) -- UPM Plywood plans to improve the efficiency and profitability of its operations and starts change negotiations in Finland in accordance with local legislation due to financial and production-related reasons and restructuring of operations.

The aim of the planned changes is to safeguard the competitiveness of UPM Plywood business in a challenging operating environment. The plan is also to develop the operation model of UPM Plywood, to support organizational renewal and to provide opportunities for job rotation and skills development.

The negotiations will affect approximately 100 senior salaried and directors working in UPM Plywood business organization, business functions and global functions in Finland.

According to a preliminary estimate, the plan may lead to the dismissal of approximately 15 senior salaried and directors due to financial and production-related reasons. In addition, the plan may lead to changes in the way the work is organized, including job content and placement of positions within the UPM Plywood organization.

Decisions on possible redundancies will be made once the change negotiations have been concluded.