Prime Minister leads warm welcome to Finnish forest giant investing …

Metsa Group’s proposed investment in a huge tissue plant at Goole has been strongly welcomed by civic leaders, with the Prime Minister leading the plaudits.

The Finnish company is set to spend hundreds of millions of pounds building the largest mill in the UK ^[1] as it aims to make the country more self sufficient in its supply. It has selected a site in the Humber Freeport tax zone to deliver a phased facility that within a decade should employ more than 400 people.

Hours after a key speech on the UK’s Net Zero ambition - which left some in the region dabbing at their eyes ^[2] - Rishi Sunak was brought up to speed on the massive development set to stand at the gateway to the port town. Mr Sunak said: “Metsa Tissue’s investment is good for Yorkshire, good for our economy and good for sustainability. This announcement is another example of the UK being the first choice for European investment and delivers on my commitment to grow the economy, creating better-paid jobs and opportunity right across the country.”

Civic dignitaries joined key stakeholders on the proposed site hours after the announcement was made public, as ground investigation work began on what is currently a ploughed field, alongside the M62 by Junction 36. Many more jobs will be created in construction, with the long term supply chain for services set to bring further opportunities.

Andrew Percy, MP for Brigg and Goole, said: “I am delighted that Metsa Tissue has chosen Goole as the site of its flagship production facility in the UK. This decision will bring millions of pounds of investment to the area, leading to the creation of hundreds of jobs. It is also a testament to the government’s commitment to success in attracting major international investors to the UK. I look forward to working with Metsä Tissue as plans for this investment move to their next stage and to ensuring that local people are first in line for the opportunities it creates.”

Meet and greet: Andrew Percy MP, left, and East Riding of Yorkshire Council leader Anne Handley, front left, with fellow councillors, welcome Metsa Tissue chief executive Esa Kaikkonen, second right, technical director Alan Jeffery, third right, and senior vice president for UK and Ireland, Mika Paljakka, third left, alongside Wykeland Group managing director, Dominic Gibbons, right, on site at Goole. (Image: Reach Plc)

Jukka Siukosaari, Finnish ambassador to the UK, said: “Today’s announcement marks an exciting moment for UK-Finland economic relations. It builds on the long shared history of close cooperation and industrial partnerships between our countries. Metsa Tissue is a great flagbearer of the proud tradition of Finland’s forestry industry and this investment is a major step in helping it bring locally produced, sustainable tissue products to the UK and Ireland.”

Cllr Anne Handley, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, was delighted to see further strong economic development following Siemens Mobility's arrival. She said: “This is a huge investment for Goole and the East Riding, as well as the wider Humber region, and wonderful to see. It will provide a real boost for the local economy, creating hundreds of jobs, and potentially thousands more along the supply chain.

“Metsa Tissue’s commitment to clean, green technology fits perfectly with our key priority of valuing the environment, and their decision to come here is a step in the right direction towards a more sustainable future for the UK. We want to welcome Metsa to the East Riding of Yorkshire family. "

Site investigtion work underway at Metsa Tissue's proposed location off Junction 36 at Goole. (Image: Reach Plc)

Stephen Silvester, inward investment and infrastructure manager of Invest Goole, added: “Invest Goole have been working closely with Metsa for over a year and this announcement is a glowing endorsement of Goole as an investment location. Metsa is a prestigious international company with sustainability at its core and is just the type of advanced manufacturing business we are looking to attract to the area to create skilled job and supply chain opportunities for our residents and businesses.”

Public events to outline the proposal are planned for early November, to be held at the nearby RaisE ^[3] on Tom Pudding Way, with Mr Kaikkonen to be joined by technical director Alan Jeffery and senior vice president for UK and Ireland, Mika Paljakka. Sessions will be held on November 2 at 3pm and 6pm, with plans to record and host online soon after.

References

^{^} set to spend hundreds of millions of pounds building the largest mill in the UK (www.business-live.co.uk)
^{^} which left some in the region dabbing at their eyes (www.business-live.co.uk)
^{^} RaisE (www.business-live.co.uk)