ATRIA TO CENTRALISE PIG SLAUGHTERING OPERATION IN NURMO
Atria Group plc STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 30.9.2005 AT 8.00 AM.
ATRIA TO CENTRALISE PIG SLAUGHTERING OPERATION IN NURMO Atria Group plc has decided to centralise Atria Oy's pig slaughtering and cutting operations at Atria's Nurmo production plant. An extensive expansion and renovation project concerning the pig slaughterhouse and the related barn, refrigeration and storage areas began in Nurmo in the spring of 2004. The investment amounts to 21 million euro and will be completed in April 2006. Atria's increased pork processing volumes require more modern capacity. The capacity of the Nurmo pig slaughterhouse will nearly double, the processing volume of the new slaughterhouse is approximately 4,000 pigs per day. The production line is automated by utilising robots. The new technology enables paying more attention to hygiene in the slaughtering process. Further new technology will also ensure raw material product quality and product safety. Atria processes approximately 800 pigs per day at the Kuopio production plant. The profitability of such a small production unit has become questionable within the EU. As a result co-determination negotiations began at the Kuopio plant in the spring of 2004 and they have now been completed. According to a decision by Atria's Board of Directors, pig slaughtering and cutting operations will be closed down at the Kuopio production plant. Production will be transferred to the Nurmo plant in early 2006. As a result of the production transfer 68 employees will be let go and the employment of 50 temporary employees will cease by the end of March. Currently the Kuopio plant employs approximately 350 people. After the change the Kuopio plant will still house, e.g. a large bovine slaughtering and cutting unit (large by Nordic standards), cured sausage production and a pet food production unit. Atria Group plc's turnover in 2004 amounted to 834 million euro. The group employs approximately 4,300 people. In addition to Finland, Atria has production operations in Sweden, Estonia and Lithuania. Atria is currently completing the acquisition of a meat processing company in Russia, in the St. Petersburg region. Atria Group plc is Finland's biggest meat-industry company and the biggest manufacturer of meat products in the Baltic region. For further information, please contact Seppo Paatelainen, CEO, tel. +358 400 661 742 or Juha Gröhn, Vice-President, tel. +358 400 684 224. ATRIA GROUP PLC Seppo Paatelainen Chief Executive Officer DISTRIBUTION www.atria.fi Helsinki Stock Exchange Principal media