Ahlstrom to start negotiations regarding transfer of its liquid filtration converting activities from its Mt. Holly Springs, PA, USA site
Ahlstrom Corporation STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 11.10.2006 at 8.50
Ahlstrom, a leader in high-performance fiber-based materials plans to move its Mount Holly Springs, PA, USA, liquid filtration converting business to another Ahlstrom facility in Bishopville, SC, USA. This relocation could affect approximately 60 jobs in the current facility as the converting operations are relocated to South Carolina. Ahlstrom will begin negotiations with the United Steel Workers Union as soon as possible.
Ahlstrom's sales of converted products to the liquid filtration market have globalized over the past years and have been under pressure from competition in lower cost geographies. The planned relocation of converting operations from Pennsylvania site to South Carolina is necessary in order to maintain Ahlstrom's current leading position in certain niche liquid filtration markets and to ensure its competitiveness.
The paper production, R&D, customer service and administrative functions will remain in Mount Holly Springs. Service to Ahlstrom's customers will not be disrupted and customer notifications and discussions will begin when negotiations with the worker's union have been concluded.
Ahlstrom's Filtration business area is a leading manufacturer of filtration materials used in air, liquid and transportation applications with 12 production sites across four continents.
Contacts:
Jukka Moisio, President & CEO, Ahlstrom Corporation, +358 10 888 4700, jukka.moisio@ahlstrom.com
Kelly Rennels, General Manager, Mt. Holly Springs, +1 717 486 6429, kelly.rennels@ahlstrom.com
Trade Press Contact:
Jerome Barrillon, Director Marketing Filtration, +1 860 654 8607, jerome.barrillon@ahlstrom.com
Distribution:
Helsinki Stock Exchange, Main media, www.ahlstrom.com
Ahlstrom in brief:
Ahlstrom is a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of high performance fiber-based materials. Nonwovens and specialty papers, made by Ahlstrom, are used in a large variety of everyday products, e.g. in filters, wipes, flooring, labels, and tapes. The company has a strong market position in several business areas in which it operates, built upon the company's unique fiber expertise and innovative approach. Ahlstrom's 5,800 employees serve customers via sales offices and production facilities in more than 20 countries on six continents. In 2005, Ahlstrom's net sales amounted to EUR 1.55 billion. Ahlstrom's share is listed on the main list of the Helsinki Stock Exchange. The company website is www.ahlstrom.com.