Dynapac Holding GmbH, part of Atlas Copco Group, this week approved a plan to consolidate the production of planers and small pavers in order to increase efficiency and customer service.

The plan includes expansion of the manufacturing units in Wardenburg, Germany, and Karlskrona, Sweden, while the factory in Lingen, Germany, would be closed down, affecting 170 people. Sales, service and marketing of Atlas Copco’s range of road construction equipment is not affected by the plan.

“Atlas Copco’s strategy is to focus on core activities such as product development, production of core components and final assembly, in order to secure the long term profitable growth of the Group,” said Björn Rosengren, business area president, Construction and Mining Technique.

If realized, investments in new production facilities and a competence center for planers will be made in Karlskrona, Sweden. In Germany, the manufacturing unit in Wardenburg will be further expanded with new premises for design and development and for production of small pavers. The present production of planers and small pavers in Lingen, Germany, will be closed down by the end of 2010. Atlas Copco will make efforts to help affected employees find new career opportunities, inside or outside of the Atlas Copco Group.

Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Atlas Copco is an industrial group that produces compressors, construction and mining equipment, power tools and assembly systems. Atlas Copco’s Construction and Mining Technique business area develops, manufactures, markets and services rock drilling tools, construction and demolition tools, drill rigs and equipment.