It is estimated that reductions will affect a maximum of around 630 employees, with around 150 positions likely to be outsourced."It's very unfortunate that we are forced to resort to such drastic measures affecting our employees," says Pasi Laine, President of Metso's Pulp, Paper and Power business. "The negotiations that we are now initiating are aimed at finding solutions to this situation, together with our employees."Personnel reductions are necessary because of the need to adjust the manufacturing capacity of Metso's paper business unit to the permanent structural changes that have impacted the business and weakened its competitiveness and profitability."The market for new printing paper machines has slowed, while the demand for more economical medium-sized board machines has continued. This global change in demand means that we must adjust our capacity not only in Finland, but also abroad, including China. The medium-sized machine segment is also of interest to smaller suppliers, which makes competition here particularly tough. We have to be able to produce cheaper, quicker, and more flexible solutions to survive in this market," says Laine.The estimated need for reductions at Jyväskylä, Järvenpää, Tampere, Raisio, Juankoski, and Valkeakoski covers approximately 630 people in maximum, with around 150 positions likely to be outsourced. Negotiations will commence immediately and will affect all personnel groups. Reductions are expected to be implemented during the first half of 2013.The need for temporary layoffs will affect all personnel serving the paper industry at Metso's locations in Jyväskylä, Järvenpää, Tampere, Raisio, Juankoski, and Valkeakoski, approximately 3,500 employees in all. Negotiations will commence immediately. The exact number of reductions will be determined on the basis of the 2013 production situation and order book.The target is to achieve savings of approximately 30 million Euros in annual operational costs. It is estimated that the cost reductions will be implemented in full as of the third quarter of 2013.