UPM sells further processing operations at Kaukas sawmill to Lännen Painepuu Oy

(UPM, Helsinki, 14 August 2013, at 10:30 EET) – UPM has today signed an agreement on the sale of further processing operations at Kaukas sawmill in Lappeenranta, Finland, to Lännen Painepuu Oy, part of Kuusisto Group. The 11 employees of the further processing mill will continue working at UPM Kaukas sawmill with the current terms. The parties have agreed not to disclose the sales price.

The production of planed and pressure impregnated wood products at Kaukas will end along the sale. Lännen Painepuu will transfer the production machinery away from Kaukas further processing mill by the end of this year.

”UPM Timber has strong focus on sawn timber manufacturing. By the sale of further processing operations we are able to concentrate our resources on serving sawn timber customers,” says Mikko Hyvärinen, Director, Sales and SCM, UPM Timber.

”This acquisition confirms Lännen Painepuu’s position as the leading producer of pressure treated wood products in Finland. In addition our product range will be complemented by the well-known Kuohu decking board and Silmu pergola,” says Pekka Kuusisto, Chairman of the board, Kuusisto Group.

The sale of Kaukas further processing operations follows UPM’s renewed Timber business strategy announced in April 2012. UPM focuses on the development of sawmills closely integrated with the company’s pulp and paper mills.

For further information please contact after 11:00 EET:
Mikko Hyvärinen, Director, Sales and SCM, UPM Timber, tel. +358 40 566 5701
Lauri Kunnas, Director, UPM Kaukas sawmill, tel. +358 40 582 8359
Pekka Kuusisto, Chairman of the board, Kuusisto Group, tel. +358 50 555 5991

Earlier press releases related to the subject:
29 June 2012, UPM has decided to restructure is sawn timber and further processing operations
11 April 2012, UPM plans to restructure its Finnish sawn timber and further processing business
 
Lännen Painepuu Oy is specialised in industrial wood refinement. Company’s production facilities located in Pori and Parkano, Finland, have an annual production capacity of 180 000 m3. Lännen Painepuu is part of Kuusisto Group, a family-owned Finnish company founded in 1898. www.kuusistogroup.com

UPM Timber manufactures top-class sawn pine and spruce timber and further processed products for the construction and joinery industries. UPM Timber annually produces around 1.8 million cubic metres of timber from wood acquired from certified forests. UPM Timber’s production units are located in Finland, Austria and France. In Finland, UPM operates four sawmills in Lappeenranta (Kaukas), Pietarsaari (Alholma), Korkeakoski and Pori (Seikku). www.upmtimber.com

UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 22,000 people. UPM is present in 67 countries and has production units in 17 countries. UPM's annual sales exceed EUR 10 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange. UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm.com

UPM, Corporate Communications
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