Nine staff are affected by the change, which reduces shifts from three to two.

The factory in Hedemora manufactures glulam beams for the Swedish market and for export, especially Germany, Japan and the UK.

“Glulam sales in the Swedish market are stable, but exports have been hurt by a weak construction market in Europe,” said Kjell Lilletjernbakken, Långshyttan factory manager.

“We have experienced a sharp drop in order bookings, especially from the important German market.

“To adapt production and avoid an inventory build-up we are now initiating co-determination negotiations on a changed organisation.”