Helsinki, Finland, 22 December 2008 -- Metso has reduced the number of  personnel at its unit in Mâcon, France, by 120 employees. The measures are caused by the weakening of the global market situation, which has led to the reduction of the workload in production and customer projects. The reductions become effective immediately.

The reduction affects employees in tasks related to production, engineering, sales, and general administration. The Metso unit in Mâcon is part of the company’s Construction business line. The unit manufactures, among others, cone crushers and vibrating equipment, and engineers complete crushing and screening systems.

Metso employs approximately 530 persons in Mâcon, after the reduction. Metso Group employs approximately 820 people in France.

Metso (www.metso.com) is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for mining, construction, power generation, automation, recycling, and the pulp and paper industries. The company has more than 28,000 employees in more than 50 countries.