Ponsse to begin change negotiations covering all employees in Finland

Ponsse is initiating change negotiations covering its entire workforce in Finland in response to weaker market conditions. The negotiations involve 1,109 employees, and the planned measures could result in temporary layoffs of up to 90 days during 2027. No redundancies are being considered.

A Ponsse forest machine under assembly on the production line at the Vieremä factory. — Ponsse says its order book is insufficient relative to production capacity. The planned adjustments could lead to temporary full-time or part-time layoffs of up to 90 days during 2027.

On 20 October, Ponsse Plc issued an invitation to change negotiations to its employees in Finland. The company’s subsidiary Epec Oy is excluded from the negotiations.

According to Ponsse, market uncertainty and challenges facing the forest industry continue to weaken demand for forest machines. The company’s order book is insufficient relative to its production capacity, and profitability has also deteriorated.

As part of its planned cost-saving and adjustment measures, Ponsse is considering adjustments to production at Vieremä and potential temporary layoffs affecting production personnel and other employee groups during 2027.

“The market situation remains challenging, and demand is still insufficient relative to our production capacity. In these circumstances, we have to plan the necessary measures and prepare for potential temporary layoffs in 2027,” says President and CEO Juho Nummela.

If implemented, the plans could lead to temporary full-time or part-time layoffs lasting up to 90 days during 2027.

Customer services to continue

Ponsse says it will continue serving its customers as normal while preparing for potential operational adjustments.

“We will continue our customer work as normal, look after our customers and ensure continuity of service even in the event of temporary layoffs,” Nummela says.

Ponsse President and CEO Juho Nummela standing in front of a Ponsse Elephant forwarder in a snow-covered yard. — President and CEO Juho Nummela says Ponsse will continue serving its customers as normal and ensure continuity of service during any potential temporary layoffs.

Ponsse announced the change negotiations on the same morning as it published its January–September interim report. The company’s order intake increased year on year in July–September, but net sales declined and profitability weakened.

In its interim report, Ponsse said it would adjust factory capacity during the remainder of 2026. The newly announced change negotiations concern potential temporary layoffs in 2027.