Stora Enso has completed negotiations on the permanent closure of its Veitsiluoto sawmill in Kemi, Finland. Sawmill production in Northern Finland will be centralised from Veitsiluoto to the company's other sawmills. As a result of the decision, approximately 60 people will be made redundant.

In August 2026, Stora Enso announced that it was planning to permanently discontinue production at its Veitsiluoto sawmill and centralise production in Northern Finland to Stora Enso's other sawmills. The reason for the change is the need to improve the efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness of sawmill operations in Northern Finland. The profitability of the sawmill business is expected to continue challenging due to, among others, the high cost of logs. Production at Veitsiluoto sawmill has been curtailed temporarily since early August, and production will now be discontinued permanently.

"The decision to close Veitsiluoto sawmill was difficult. I want to emphasize that the Veitsiluoto team has done excellent work, especially in safety. We will work closely with Stora Enso's other sites, the employment area of Sea Lapland, and other stakeholders to support our employees in re-employment. We offer, among other things, relocation services and re-employment coaching. In addition, we offer support measures for those who wish to transfer to another work location," says Matti Lielahti, Head of Stora Enso Business Unit Oulu.

In recent years, Stora Enso has expanded its operations in Northern Finland. The company will continue to deliver high-quality redwood products from its other sawmills for demanding applications. The closure will have only a minor impact on the Business Unit's wood supply and consumption in Northern Finland. There is demand for high-quality logs at the Oulu, Oulainen, and Kalajoki sawmills as well as for chips and pulpwood at the Oulu board mill.

After the change, Stora Enso will employ approximately 840 people at Business Unit Oulu's board mill, sawmills in Oulu, Oulainen, and Kalajoki, and port operations.

Press release 12 August 2026: Stora Enso plans to centralise sawmill production in Northern Finland and permanently close Veitsiluoto sawmill