Henrik Nyström felt deep disappointment as the final paper roll emerged from UPM's Kaukaa mill in Lappeenranta. The paper machine stopped permanently on Monday, November 10 at 10:55 AM. The coating machine fell silent the following day.
Nyström worked at the Kaukaa paper factory for nearly 25 years. He served as a coating machine operator and team leader. The last roll of coated magazine paper made the situation painfully real. His quarter-century career was truly ending.
The veteran worker said emotions ran high during the final moments. He admitted coming close to tears when reality set in.
Workers at the paper mill have felt disappointed for months according to Nyström. These feelings began when UPM first announced the factory closure. The mood has remained somber since that initial announcement.
UPM's director of Finnish paper mills confirmed the machine's future will be decided in coming months. One option involves complete dismantling. This would mark the final chapter for the industrial site.
The closure reflects broader challenges in Finland's paper industry. International competition and digital transformation have reduced demand for magazine paper. Several Finnish mills have closed in recent years, affecting thousands of workers.
Lappeenranta faces economic consequences from the shutdown. Paper mills have long been important employers in the region. The loss of industrial jobs creates challenges for local communities.
Finland's paper industry once dominated European production. Changing market conditions have forced major restructuring. Companies like UPM have shifted focus toward specialty papers and biofuels.
Workers like Nyström represent a generation of skilled industrial employees. Their expertise developed over decades now faces limited opportunities. The transition affects entire communities built around paper production.
What happens next for the Kaukaa facility remains uncertain. The dismantling option would remove industrial infrastructure permanently. Alternative uses for the site could provide some employment opportunities.
The human impact extends beyond immediate job losses. Workers develop identities around their professions and workplaces. Closing a factory after decades of operation represents more than economic change.
Finnish labor unions typically negotiate transition packages for affected workers. These may include retraining programs or early retirement options. The specifics for Kaukaa employees haven't been finalized.
Industrial transitions create complex challenges for Nordic welfare states. Finland balances economic restructuring with social protection systems. The Kaukaa closure tests this balance in practical terms.