Stora Enso is considering the permanent closure of its Veitsiluoto sawmill in Kemi as part of a plan to consolidate pine sawmilling at other facilities in northern Finland.
Under the proposal, production would be transferred primarily to the company’s sawmills in Oulu and Kalajoki. Stora Enso said the consolidation is intended to improve the efficiency, profitability and competitiveness of its regional sawmilling operations.
Formal change negotiations will begin at Stora Enso Veitsiluoto Oy and Stora Enso Oyj. The process covers approximately 60 employees and is expected to last three weeks.
The Veitsiluoto sawmill is currently operating under a temporary production curtailment. If the plan moves forward, the facility would not restart production in October 2026. Stora Enso emphasized that no final decision on the closure or potential workforce reductions will be made before the negotiations are completed.
According to the company, Veitsiluoto has operated for more than a century and would require significant investment to continue production. At the same time, Stora Enso is ramping up its newer Oulu sawmill, which is expected to absorb part of the transferred volume.
Matti Lielahti, head of Stora Enso’s Oulu business unit, said the company has expanded its sawmilling operations in northern Finland to supply high-quality sawn timber for demanding applications. He added that Stora Enso intends to conduct the negotiations responsibly and provide support to affected employees.
The proposed closure would have only a limited impact on the business unit’s overall wood consumption, according to the company.
Stora Enso’s Oulu business unit employs approximately 900 people across its board mill, port operations and sawmill in Oulu, as well as its sawmills in Veitsiluoto, Oulainen and Kalajoki.
Stora Enso produces renewable materials and packaging solutions from fresh and recycled fibres. The company employs approximately 19,000 people and reported sales of EUR 9.3 billion in 2025.
