Finnish alcoholic beverage company Altia is planning to temporarily lay off employees as part of its operational adjustments due to the impact of coronavirus (Covid-19).

As part of this initiative, the company’s management will begin cooperation negotiations to implement necessary personnel adjustments at its facilities.

This decision will affect all its operations in Finland and other countries where it operates.

Last year, Altia employed around 632 people, of which 418 were in Finland.

Several governments have implemented measures such as restriction of movement and border closures to limit the spread of coronavirus.

These measures have especially affected the travel retail and on-trade sectors across all countries, which according to Altia have impacted its operations and exports.

Altia CEO Pekka Tennilä said: “Our working environment has changed radically, and we must react accordingly.

“The adjustments are necessary in order to maintain our operational capability in the short and long term. With the co-operation negotiations, we try to find the best solution for all Altia employees under these exceptional circumstances.”

The company expects negotiations with employees to be completed after Easter.

Earlier this month, Altia announced that it will produce technical ethanol will tackle the issue hand sanitiser shortage amid the Covid-19 outbreak. The ethanol will be the principal ingredient in hand sanitiser production.

The beverage company noted that industrial ethanol will be in production round-the-clock at its Koskenkorva plant.

Latest on Coronavirus

• PepsiCo Malaysia blazes trail for digital experiential marketing amid COVID-19

• COVID-19: Poll finds business sentiment is improving

  Business sentiment amid the COVID-19 pandemic has been improving since June 2020. Read more about the reasons for the business optimism and the trend.
• Few employees want to return to office full-time when lockdowns are eased: Poll

  Remote working or work from home has become the new norm during COVID-19, but what do employees favour post the pandemic? See Verdict poll's findings.
• Optimism over global economic recovery hits a low as May ends: Poll analysis

  -1357
• Covid-19: Moët Hennessy to support hospitality sector in Canada

  Moët Hennessy, a wine and spirits division of LVMH, has launched a programme in Canada, Coming Together, to support its local partners during the pandemic.
• COVID-19 concerns increase in May following easing of lockdowns

  The COVID-19 concern index, as measured by responses to a poll launched by Verdict in March, has been tracking how coronavirus concerns are changing.
• Seven Jars, Lightspeed POS offer hand sanitiser to first responders

  US-based Seven Jars Distillery has partnered with technology company Lightspeed POS to offer hand sanitiser to first responder organisations.
• JJ Pfister distilling company begins hand sanitiser production

  JJ Pfister Distilling Company has started production of hand sanitiser to support Greater Sacramento community during the Covid-19 health emergency.
• Covid-19: JobsOhio launches support programme for bars

  JobsOhio and the Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of Liquor Control have launched a support programme for bars and restaurants amid Covid-19 outbreak.
• Covid-19: Irish pub turns to drone to deliver drinks

  McKeever’s Bar and Lounge in Ireland is using a drone to deliver drinks to locals in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic and related regulatory measures.