During the second half of 2019, Metso decided to discontinue its rubber and poly-met manufacturing operations in Ersmark, Sweden. It said this move, as well as the closure of its foundry operations in Isithebe, South Africa, was related to developing the global supply footprint of its Minerals Consumables business area.

The Finland-based minerals-processing group is also planning to centralise warehouse operations in several markets.

Going forward, Metso will use "synergies of the most efficient manufacturing and sourcing opportunities regionally and globally to ensure the best value, availability and quality for its customers", the group said in its 2019 financial statement.  

Sami Takaluoma, president for the Minerals Consumables business area, said the company had identified Lithuania as "an attractive location for a new manufacturing hub".

"The closeness of our current customers in the Europe, Russia, Middle East and Africa region, efficient logistics network, sustainable operational environment and favourable market conditions were important criteria in the decision-making," he added.

The new rubber and poly-met wear parts manufacturing facility, located in the region of Šiauliai (Šiauliai län) in northern Lithuania, will start operations at the end of the June quarter. It will offer employment to 80 people by the end of this year.

In 2019, Metso also opened a new Metso Business Services (MBS) centre in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. The MBS centre offers services related to Metso's finance operations (which were transferred over from Tampere, Finland) and customer logistics. Currently the centre employs about 80 experts.

Metso Minerals is expected to finalise its merger with fellow Finnish technology company Outotec in the June quarter of this year.