Atria is planning to increase bovine slaughtering efficiency and to invest in the Kauhajoki slaughterhouse According to a preliminary plan Atria Finland is launching a programme to increase the efficiency of its bovine slaughtering and deboning operations. According to this plan bovine slaughtering and deboning operations could be concentrated in Kauhajoki. If the plan will be executed the slaughtering and deboning of bovine in Kuopio facilities would be transferred to Kauhajoki. According to the preliminary plan, modern slaughter and deboning capacity is being constructed in Kauhajoki, to be completed by the end of 2012. Atria's bovine slaughterhouses are currently technologically outdated, and significant investments in machinery and the premises are required to improve efficiency. The rise in feed prices this autumn has brought on severe profitability problems to the Finnish beef chain. Imported beef in the market is pushing down the price of domestic beef. The aim is to improve the profitability of the chain by cutting costs and streamlining operations. The aim of the preliminary plan is to improve bovine slaughtering and to cut overcapacity. Employer-employee negotiations will be launched to process the plan. The execution of the plan would include a net reduction of approx. 120 man-years by the end of 2012. The annual cost savings to be achieved through the plan are estimated at EUR 5.0 million. For further information, please contact Matti Tikkakoski, Managing Director of Atria Finland Ltd, tel. +358 50 2582. ATRIA PLC Matti Tikkakoski President and CEO DISTRIBUTION www.atriagroup.com Major media Nasdaq OMX Helsinki Ltd
Stock exchange releases | 27.10.2010