Outokumpu announced that it's Tornio plant will end the currently on going part time temporary layoffs for about 900 maintenance and support functions employees from the end of September.

It said that “This reflects the earlier announced increase in production capability and the end of temporary layoffs for employees at steel production lines. From early October there will be no temporarily laid off employees in Tornio Works in Finland.”

Outokumpu announced in late June that it will increase its production capability as the order intake for deliveries after the summer vacation period was showing some recovery. The currently idled melt shop will start production and working shifts at the steel production lines will be increased at the beginning of September which is one month earlier than planned. The end of the temporary layoffs for about 700 steel production employees at the beginning of September was also announced in June. The plan is, however, not to return to full production capacity at this stage.

To reflect the increasing production capability also the part-time temporary layoffs for 900 maintenance and support functions employees can be ended from the end of September. These temporary layoffs were in force until further notice and their need was agreed to be reviewed quarterly. The fixed-period temporary layoffs for about 250 employees at the Kemi Mine and Ferrochrome Works will end according to plan in early October.

Tornio Works in Finland employs 2 300 people of which over 1 800 have been in the scope of the fixed-period or part-time temporary layoffs between in April - October period.