Metso’s new technology center will be opened on September 22, 2011 in Vantaa, Finland
Metso Corporation’s press release on September 22, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. local time
Strong demand in valves globally
The opening ceremony of Metso’s new technology center takes place today in Vantaa. The fastest growing markets of the facility, which is specialized in manufacturing of engineered industrial valves, are the Middle East and China. The investment decision to build a new facility in Finland is a continuation of Metso’s strategy to strengthen valve services globally. The new center employs about 800 automation professionals. Production works in two shifts at record pace.
“Our current deliveries have increased by half compared with the corresponding period in the previous year. Production is more than 2,500 valves per month, and volumes will be further increased in order to meet the growing global demand,” says Markku Simula, President of Flow Control business in Metso’s Automation business line.
“We supply valves globally to major oil and gas companies like ExxonMobile and Petrobras, and global forestry and paper companies like Stora Enso. Especially companies in the Middle East, Brazil and China have recently invested at an accelerating pace in new production facilities,” explains Simula.
Strengthening global network
The investment made in Finland continues Metso’s strategy to strengthen valve operations globally. In 2010, Metso opened a new technology center in Shanghai, and the company is currently expanding its valve production facilities in the US. Metso also has high-class industrial valve facilities in Brazil and Germany.
“We are continuously improving our services for the oil, gas and process industry as well as for the pulp and paper industry. Our customers’ processes are getting more demanding, and therefore our customers are constantly expecting better solutions and services from us. Now enabled by our new production facility, we have even better possibilities to boost production and develop quality and delivery performance with these high-technology products,” says Simula.
The new technology center replaces the old production facilities located in many separate buildings in Roihupelto, Helsinki. The new facility further improves the possibilities for product development. Investing in product development has made Metso one of the leading suppliers of intelligent on-off and emergency shutdown (ESD) valves and applications for real-time condition monitoring.
Metso focuses on services
Metso’s strong position with the most demanding valve applications and real-time condition monitoring has made the company also a technology service provider. A good example is the service agreement covering 11 refineries, which Metso and Brazilian oil company Petrobras signed in spring 2011.
Metso is a global supplier of sustainable technology and services for mining, construction, power generation, automation, recycling and the pulp and paper industries. We have about 29,000 employees in more than 50 countries. www.metso.com
For further information, please contact:
Markku Simula, President, Flow Control, Automation business line, Metso, tel. +358 40 579 8128
