Feb 17, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. In this extremely difficult operating environment, Metsäliitto continues to take measures to improve the profitability of its sawmill operations showing a heavy loss, and is planning a permanent or fixed-term closure of the Karihaara sawmill, which has shown a loss for an extended period, the company said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. “The operating environment in the sawmill industry has become increasingly difficult as result of the continuous demand decrease,” says Timo Pekkola, Senior Vice President, Solid Wood Business Line. “By reorganising our production structure, we will continue to take measures in order to improve the profitability of sawmilling.” The statutory labour negotiations concerning the plan will be launched on February 23, 2009 and they apply to the entire sawmill personnel, 50 employees in total. The Karihaara pine sawmill is located in Kemi, Finland. The annual volume of sawn timber produced at the mill is over 100 thousand cubic metres. Approximately 70% of the production is exported, about 20% is supplied to further upgrading and 10% to the Finnish market.