Pilkington Ceases Production In Finland And Invests In Austrialia

Pilkington PLC, is to cease production at Lahden Lasitehdas in Lahti, Finland, for up to two years to rid glass production of over-capacity. The Finnish plant currently employs 184 staff and some employees will be retained during the stoppage for cutting and processing glass, as glass produced elsewhere is marketed in Finland, Russia and the Baltic States from Lahti. The furnace at the plant, which has been in constant use since 1987, may be renewed during the stoppage. The stoppage at Lahden Lasitehdas will cut Pilkington's production by about 55,000 tonnes/year. The group estimates its total overcapacity to be around 200,000 tonnes.