Tag Archives: Vereeniging

Metso Outotec to divest Vereeniging mill linings, pump facility

Close to eight months since Metso announced it was evaluating the potential closure or other alternatives for its operations in Vereeniging, South Africa, Metso Outotec has made the decision to divest the fabrication, machining and assembly facility and close or rearrange the rest of the operations.

Back in March, Metso said the evaluation was part of the company’s global supply footprint development strategy within its Minerals operations.

Sami Takaluoma (pictured), President, Consumables business area at Metso Outotec, said the company carefully evaluated all opportunities, with the target to find the best possible option for customers and employees.

“Approximately 110 employees will continue with the new local owner in the spare parts manufacturing and repair operations,” he said.

“To ensure the best value, availability and quality to our customers, the mill linings production, as well as pump assembly operations, will be transferred to our other manufacturing units with flexible global service capability,” Takaluoma said. “We will continue to have some field service and engineering specialists in Vereeniging to ensure a sustainable transition as well as uninterrupted service to our customers.”

The unit in Vereeniging has provided pumps, spare parts, consumables, and repair services for the mining industry. The unit has employed around 200 employees.

Metso Outotec added: “The decisions made on the Vereeniging site operations are not related to the Metso Outotec combination.”

Metso reviewing Vereeniging operations in South Africa

Metso says it is initiating consultations to evaluate the potential closure or other alternatives for its operations in Vereeniging, South Africa.

The Vereeniging unit provides pumps, spare parts, consumables, and repair services for the mining industry and has around 200 employees, the company says.

The move is part of the global supply footprint development strategy in its Minerals operations. Similar reviews across regions in Metso’s Minerals Consumables business area have led to the closure of the rubber and poly-met wear parts manufacturing facility in Ersmark, Sweden, and a discontinuation of the Isithebe foundry in South Africa.

Sami Takaluoma, President, Minerals Consumables business area at Metso, said: “Our strategy is to utilise synergies of the most efficient manufacturing and sourcing opportunities globally. We are continuously developing our supply footprint to deliver the best value, availability and quality for our customers.”