Tikkurila to reduce personnel in Finland

17-01-2012: Tikkurila has concluded the co-operation negotiations started in November 2011. The negotiations targeted all personnel groups and functions of Tikkurila Oyj in Finland. As a result of the negotiations, a total of 62 persons, working in various functions of the company, will be dismissed. Of these personnel reductions, altogether 39 employees are directors and other white-collar workers and 23 are blue-collar workers.

The negotiations were initially expected to result in the reduction of 100 employees at the most. In 2011, the Tikkurila Group had all in all some 3,700 employees, of which approximately 750 worked in Finland.

The personnel reductions and related support activities are estimated to result in non-recurring expenses of EUR 1.5-2.0 million during the financial year 2012.

In addition, Tikkurila Oyj has decided to outsource the canteen, cleaning services, facility management and office services at its Vantaa site in Finland to ISS Palvelut Oy as of January 31, 2012. As a result of the agreement, approximately 50 employees will be transferred to ISS Palvelut Oy as old employees.

The measures conducted are a part of Tikkurila's group-wide program started at the end of 2011. The program aims at more flexible organization and cost structure, as well as at streamlining all operations in the prevailing uncertain and quickly changing market environment. According to the plan, the organization structure will be revised, areas of responsibilities clarified and ways of operating changed. In addition, the roles of Group's production facilities will be reconsidered and reorganized where applicable.

In addition to Finland, Tikkurila has started organizational streamlining measures in Poland at the beginning of 2012. Measures to improve efficiency and facilitate structural change will be launched in all Tikkurila locations and business units during the next few months.