Metso acquires the service business of Wyesco of Louisiana L.L.C., located in Slaughter, Louisiana, USA. The acquired business, employing 30 persons, will be affiliated to Metso’s Paper and Fiber Technology segment as of July 19, 2010. The new business will operate under the name Metso Wyesco Service Center. The value of the transaction is not disclosed.

Wyesco of Louisiana L.L.C. has operated in the service business for over 10 years and recently has been Metso’s licensed repair facility for the repair of certain pulp mill components. The repair facility has grown to become one of the most diverse ones in the United States. The repair services provided cover digester components such as high & low pressure feeders, top separator screws & baskets, chip feeders and steaming screws. In addition, the Metso Wyesco Service Center has the expertise to repair thick stock and MC pumps, vacuum pumps, gear reducers, process pumps, woodyard equipment, mixers, circulators, agitators, pulper rotors and conveyors.

The acquisition will complement Metso’s current services, technology and product offering to the pulp industry in North America, and is in line with Metso's strategy to increase the level of business in the services sector.

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 27,000 employees in more than 50 countries. www.metso.com

Further information, please contact:
Jukka Tiitinen, President, North America, Paper and Fiber Technology, Metso, tel. +358 40 740 6178 or +1 404 433 0937
Bill Bohn, Vice President, Fiber business line, North America, Metso, tel. +1 404 394 5924