Valio planning to transfer production of juices and plant-based snack and cooking products to Riihimäki plant
Source: The DairyNews
Valio, a leading Finnish dairy company, is considering transferring the production of juices, berry soups, and plant-based snack and cooking products from its Helsinki and Turku plants to Riihimäki. This strategic move, if implemented, would result in the closure of the Helsinki and Turku facilities, with Valio aiming to enhance production efficiency and profitability.
The Pitäjänmäki juice plant in Helsinki currently manufactures juices, berry soups, and glogg, while the Turku plant specializes in plant-based cooking and snack products. Valio intends to commence change negotiations regarding the planned production transfer at these plants. The negotiations would involve 66 employees at the juice plant and 26 employees in Turku, potentially affecting a maximum of 92 staff members. The rationale behind these discussions stems from production and economic considerations, along with the resultant operational restructuring. The earliest possible closure of the production plants could occur in the first half of 2026.
Juha Penttilä, Valio’s Executive Vice President of Operations, emphasized the company's focus on enhancing production efficiency and profitability through this planned transition. He highlighted the modern production infrastructure and expertise in plant-based products at the Riihimäki plant, which presents new opportunities for the development of transitional products.
Valio, which employs approximately 4,300 individuals, with the majority working in Finland, underscores its commitment to ensuring the vitality of Finnish dairy farms and securing the continuity of Finnish food production. Penttilä acknowledged the unfortunate nature of change negotiations involving potential headcount reductions and affirmed the company's commitment to handling the situation in the best possible manner for its employees.
Last autumn, Valio acquired the production operations of the Turku plant from Norwegian company Kavli, with the employees transferring to Valio's payroll as part of the transaction. The Riihimäki site, which employs around 430 people, serves as a hub for the production of both milk-based and plant-based products, including the Oddlygood® snack range.
Juha Penttilä, Valio’s Executive Vice President of Operations, emphasized the company's focus on enhancing production efficiency and profitability through this planned transition. He highlighted the modern production infrastructure and expertise in plant-based products at the Riihimäki plant, which presents new opportunities for the development of transitional products.
Valio, which employs approximately 4,300 individuals, with the majority working in Finland, underscores its commitment to ensuring the vitality of Finnish dairy farms and securing the continuity of Finnish food production. Penttilä acknowledged the unfortunate nature of change negotiations involving potential headcount reductions and affirmed the company's commitment to handling the situation in the best possible manner for its employees.
Last autumn, Valio acquired the production operations of the Turku plant from Norwegian company Kavli, with the employees transferring to Valio's payroll as part of the transaction. The Riihimäki site, which employs around 430 people, serves as a hub for the production of both milk-based and plant-based products, including the Oddlygood® snack range.
