Stora Enso confirms permanent closure of Veitsiluoto sawmill
Stora Enso has completed negotiations concerning the permanent closure of its Veitsiluoto sawmill in Kemi, Finland. Sawmill production in Northern Finland will be centralised at the company’s other facilities. As a result of the decision, approximately 60 employees will be made redundant.
In August 2026, Stora Enso announced plans to permanently discontinue production at the Veitsiluoto sawmill and centralise its Northern Finnish output at other company sawmills. The decision was driven by the need to improve the efficiency, profitability and competitiveness of sawmill operations in the region.
The company expects profitability in the sawmill business to remain challenging, partly because of the high cost of logs. Production at Veitsiluoto had already been temporarily curtailed since early August and will now cease permanently.
“The decision to close Veitsiluoto sawmill was difficult. I want to emphasise 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,” said Matti Lielahti, Head of Stora Enso Business Unit Oulu.
Stora Enso has expanded its operations in Northern Finland in recent years. The company will continue to supply high-quality redwood products for demanding applications from its other sawmills.
According to Stora Enso, the closure will have only a limited effect on the business unit’s wood supply and consumption in Northern Finland. Demand for high-quality logs will continue at the Oulu, Oulainen and Kalajoki sawmills, while chips and pulpwood will be used at the Oulu board mill.
Following the change, Stora Enso will employ approximately 840 people across Business Unit Oulu’s board mill, its sawmills in Oulu, Oulainen and Kalajoki, and its port operations.
Stora Enso employs approximately 19,000 people and recorded sales of EUR 9.3 billion in 2025.
