LOHJA, FINLAND -- Elcoteq's chief executive today confirmed earlier reports the EMS firm would close its Lohja manufacturing plant and lay off a total of 242 employees by August.

The company said 215 workers would be affected by the Lohja plant closing. Another 27 would be laid off as part of changes to its NPI organization.

In a statement on the company's website, President and CEO Jouni Hartikainen said, "The objective of these measures is to improve the group's long-term profitability and competitiveness. The personnel negotiations in Finland are part of an action plan that applies to the entire group under which operations will be streamlined especially in Europe and the Americas."