Metso, headquartered in Finland, has completed negotiations with its workers' council over layoffs to be taken at the company’s Duesseldorf, Germany, facility. The negotiations began on Oct. 10, 2013, and sought for ways to adjust the company’s employee ranks while dealing with softer markets for its product line.

Following discussions between the two sides, an agreement has been reached that will result in a reduction in the number of jobs at the Dusseldorf site from around 300 jobs to 186 jobs. Most of the affected jobs are due to the closure of the production operation. Metso also will reduce the number of administration jobs at the company. The layoffs could occur by the end of February, the company reports.

In a press release, Metso says the planned measures are inevitable due to the current weak market demand in metal recycling, and are part of Metso’s global program to improve operational excellence and reduce its operations costs. The company says its goal is to be able to offer high quality metal recycling products at competitive prices.

Martijn van Keulen, managing director for Metso Minerals (Deutschland) GmbH, says, “The result of the negotiations is fair for all parties. It supports us in securing our competitiveness and refocusing on the future challenges, without neglecting the aspects of social compatibility and responsibility towards the employees.

“Metso will offer all affected employees extensive help with the foundation of a transfer company, which will support the employees in reorientation and finding a new job,” van Keulen added.

Following the restructuring, development and sales of the company’s recycling equipment will continue in Dusseldorf. The company’s customer service also will be handled locally. Meanwhile, production of the machines will be outsourced to Metso’s global network with locations and qualified sub-contractors in all major markets—Europe, America and Asia—although Metso says that all plants and suppliers will operate according to the highest Metso standards and are subject to quality assurance.

"With this global presence, we strive to serve all markets in an optimal way and to meet customer needs more efficiently,” van Keulen says.