Konecranes Heavy Lifting Corp will reduce its 620-strong workforce by 41 people. The company has just completed the statutory negotiations for permanent personnel reductions (Forkliftaction.com News #412).

Negotiations are still under way on temporary lay-offs, while an additional 25 people are expected to retire in the near future, the company says.

Konecranes Standard Lifting Corp and Konecranes Service Corp started statutory negotiations on 18 March and Konecranes Heavy Lifting Corp on 18 May. The move was aimed at adjusting the company's capacity to meet the current weaker market and to remain competitive.

Konecranes Service Corp completed its negotiations on 5 June while discussions are ongoing in Konecranes Standard Lifting Corp.

Other measures employed by Konecranes to adjust to weaker market conditions include the use of staffing agencies and temporary employment. The company has also shifted some subcontracting work back to in-house production.