Saarioinen begins restructuring talks affecting 50 employees

Finnish ready-meal company Saarioinen and plastics company Artekno-Saarioinen are starting restructuring talks involving 50 employees in specialist roles, Yle reported.

The companies cite production and financial reasons, as well as a need to reorganise their operations. Saarioinen said the talks reflect long-running challenges in the operating environment and the need to adapt to changed market conditions.

The preliminary plan would end 14 roles, but the number of potential redundancies is expected to be considerably lower because the plan also includes creating 10 new positions. The proposed changes and alternatives will be discussed with employee representatives.

Saarioinen chief executive Ilkka Brander said low consumer confidence in the economic outlook was among the pressures facing the company. He said it needed to streamline and clarify its operations and review its cost structure to protect its competitiveness and profitability.

The talks are expected to last about three weeks and are due to begin next Monday. Saarioinen was founded in Sahalahti, in Kangasala, and now also operates in Valkeakoski and Huittinen in Finland, and Rapla in Estonia. Its head office is in Tampere.