Packaging

UPM RAFLATAC PLANS ON RELOCATING NEW PRODUCT PILOTING OF ITS RFID BUSINESS CLOSER TO FASTEST GROWING MARKETS

Thursday 18. February 2010 - UPM Raflatac is planning to streamline its RFID operations in order to further reinforce its competitiveness. The company plans to relocate new product piloting from Jyväskylä, Finland into its volume factories and closer to fastest growing markets in Guangzhou, China and Fletcher, North Carolina in the USA.

According to plans, the number of UPM Raflatac employees in Jyväskylä will decrease by 24 persons. If measures are carried out according to plans, around 11 people will continue to work for RFID Business Area in Jyväskylä.

Plans concerning the transferring of new product piloting will be negotiated with employees in accordance with local legislation. Opportunities for relocation within UPM and retraining will be handled as part of the negotiations. The planned actions are estimated to be completed by the end of 2010.

“With the planned measures we target to further improve our profitability and to secure our growth. With product piloting closer to fastest growing markets, and with leaner product introduction we will be able to respond more rapidly to our customers’ needs. RFID business is extremely dynamic, and develops at an accelerating speed, which is why we have to also be more agile,” says Christer Härkönen, Senior Vice President of UPM Raflatac RFID business area.