Metso Minerals will downsize its manufacturing units in in the United States, Finland and France in order to streamline the cost structure and reduce overcapacity.

At the manufacturing plant in Milwaukee, WI, USA, production of heavy-duty mining crushers and other products will cease by the end of June, 2004. The decision will affect approximately 100 employees. The manufacturing of Milwaukee products will be transferred to other Metso units and partly outsourced to North American subcontractors. Functions not related to manufacturing will continue in Milwaukee. These include sales, marketing and R&D.

At the Tampere crusher plant in Finland, the downsizing affects approximately 80 - 100 employees. The manufacturing of some Tampere products will be transferred to other Metso units. Due to the weakening load situation at Tampere, negotiations on temporary layoffs will also be started. Metso Minerals has approximately 850 employees in Tampere, Finland.

Efficiency improvement measures will also start in the Mācon unit in France as well as at Metso Minerals headquarters. In Mācon Metso Minerals has 275 employees. Metso Minerals headquarters currently employ 65 people and the actions will affect about 20 positions.