Finland“s Karhulan Lasi (part of Owens-Illinois group), a glass packaging manufacturer located at Kotka, is starting negotiations to cut 40 jobs. The company is planning to close one of its furnaces …
Finland“s Karhulan Lasi (part of Owens-Illinois group), a glass packaging manufacturer located at Kotka, is starting negotiations to cut 40 jobs. The company is planning to close one of its furnaces in December 2007. At the same time, the company is investing EUR 1.6 million in a new screenprinting line. At present, the plant has one line. Vodka bottles are the main target for screenprinting. According to the company, demand for screenprinted bottles is growing but this will not make up for losses caused by the unfavourable development of the glass bottle market. Demand for non-refillable glass bottles has not grown as expected. Demand for domestic beer bottles has fallen dramatically in Karhulan Lasi in 2007. Exports now account for over 50% of production, but exports are becoming unprofitable as transport costs rise.