Oct 05, 2009. /Lesprom Network/. Metso Automation has concluded the employee negotiations, which started in August. As a result, there will be 98 permanent personnel reductions, the company said in a press release received by Lesprom Network. Primary affections are targeted to Metso Automation's units in Helsinki, Tampere and Kajaani. The negotiations affected the entire personnel of the Flow Control business unit, which manufactures industrial valves, and Metso Automation's shared administration and support functions. In the Process Automation Systems business unit the negotiations primarily targeted the personnel serving the paper and pulp customers in Finland. Additionally, the temporary lay-off negotiations in the Flow Control business unit were ended. Part of the temporary layoffs will be implemented immediately and another part at the beginning of next year, depending on the workloads. Temporary layoffs will be implemented using various methods and they will be expired if possible at the end of November 2010, at the latest. The temporary layoffs will affect mainly personnel in Helsinki. At the beginning of the negotiations it was estimated to result in the reduction of a total of some 120-160 permanent positions. Metso's Automation employs a total of over 1,500 people in Finland in 21 locations. Its biggest sites are located in Helsinki and Tampere.