Metso has taken another major step in expanding its manufacturing and technology capabilities by approving the second phase of its ambitious Lokomotion Technology Centre project in Tampere, Finland. The latest investment decision includes the construction of a state-of-the-art crusher production facility and reinforces the company’s long-term strategy to strengthen its global leadership in aggregates and mining equipment technologies.
The second development phase represents an investment of approximately €60 million, which will be distributed over the next three years. Around €15 million is expected to be allocated during 2026 as construction activities gain momentum. Combined with the first phase, the overall investment in the Lahdesjärvi technology centre will exceed €200 million, making it one of Finland’s most significant industrial development projects in recent decades.
New Crusher Factory to Strengthen Global Production Capacity
The newly approved phase centers on the construction of a modern crusher manufacturing facility that will become a key component of Metso’s future production network. Once completed, the Lokomotion Technology Centre will serve as a highly efficient industrial hub where advanced technologies, equipment, and components used in aggregates, crushing, screening, and sand production are designed, tested, engineered, and manufactured.
The project reflects the increasing demand for innovative processing technologies across the mining, construction, infrastructure, and raw materials sectors. By consolidating research, product development, testing, and manufacturing operations into a single location, Metso aims to improve operational efficiency while accelerating innovation. The company expects the full technology centre to be completed during the early 2030s.
Strategic Investment Supports Long-Term Growth
According to Metso’s leadership, the second phase represents a critical milestone in strengthening the company’s production capabilities and maintaining its competitive position in global markets. The new crusher facility will create the foundation for future manufacturing operations within a modern industrial environment specifically designed to support next-generation equipment production.
The broader investment program is expected to significantly enhance Metso’s global delivery capabilities while supporting growing demand for advanced crushing and screening technologies used throughout the mining and aggregates industries.
As infrastructure development, urbanization, and construction activity continue worldwide, demand for efficient aggregate production solutions remains strong, increasing the importance of technologically advanced manufacturing facilities.
Largest Industrial Investment in Tampere This Century
Metso has maintained a strong presence in Tampere for decades, playing a major role in the region’s industrial development and engineering expertise. The Lokomotion Technology Centre represents the largest industrial investment undertaken in the city during the 21st century and is expected to generate substantial economic benefits for the wider region.
Beyond manufacturing expansion, the project is anticipated to strengthen Finland’s industrial ecosystem by supporting innovation, technical skills development, employment opportunities, and sustainable economic growth. The technology centre is also expected to attract suppliers, engineering firms, technology partners, and service providers, creating a broader network of industrial activity around the facility.
Construction of Phase Two Begins in 2026
Development of the second phase will officially begin with site preparation and groundwork scheduled to commence in June 2026. The new crusher production facility will expand upon the assembly and logistics infrastructure currently being built under the first phase of the project.
Crusher manufacturing operations at the new facility are expected to begin during the autumn of 2028. Construction activities for both phases will proceed simultaneously, allowing Metso to implement a phased commissioning strategy and gradually transition operations into the new complex.
Once completed, the entire technology centre will encompass approximately 66,000 square meters of industrial space, with the second phase accounting for roughly 12,000 square meters of the total footprint.
First Phase Remains on Schedule
Progress on the first phase of the Lokomotion Technology Centre continues according to plan. Construction began in June 2024, and completion remains scheduled for August 2027.
This phase includes assembly and testing facilities dedicated to mobile crushing equipment, along with extensive warehouse and logistics infrastructure designed to support global operations. Current construction activities involve interior systems installation and structural engineering work as the project advances toward operational readiness.
A major milestone is expected during the third quarter of 2027 when production of Metso’s well-known Lokotrack® track-mounted crushing and screening equipment begins at the new Lahdesjärvi facility. The first phase represents an investment of approximately €150 million, with around €70 million already invested by the end of April 2026.
Modernization and Relocation of Existing Operations
The development of the new technology centre also supports a broader modernization strategy for Metso’s manufacturing operations in Finland. The company plans to gradually relocate activities currently conducted at its historic Lokomo facility in the Hatanpää district of Tampere to the new Lahdesjärvi site.
This transition will allow production, engineering, testing, and logistics functions to operate within a purpose-built environment optimized for efficiency, sustainability, and future growth. Following completion of the relocation process, Metso intends to divest the existing Hatanpää property and associated buildings, further consolidating operations at the new technology centre.
Sustainability and Innovation Drive Future Development
The Lokomotion Technology Centre has been designed with a strong emphasis on sustainability, resource efficiency, and advanced industrial innovation. The facility will support the development of technologies aimed at improving productivity while reducing energy consumption and environmental impacts associated with aggregate and mineral processing operations.
As industries worldwide increasingly prioritize efficiency and sustainable production methods, investment in advanced engineering and manufacturing infrastructure is becoming a critical competitive advantage. The new centre will provide Metso with a platform to accelerate product development, integrate digital technologies, enhance equipment performance, and support customers operating in increasingly demanding market environments.
Positioning Metso for Future Industry Demand
The expansion of the Lokomotion Technology Centre comes at a time when global demand for crushing, screening, and material processing technologies continues to grow.
Infrastructure investment, urban development, mining activity, and construction projects are driving the need for more efficient equipment capable of producing aggregates and processed materials with lower environmental footprints. By investing more than €200 million into one of Europe’s most advanced production and technology hubs, Metso is positioning itself to meet future industry requirements while reinforcing Finland’s role as a center of industrial innovation and engineering excellence.
The project not only strengthens Metso’s manufacturing capabilities but also highlights the growing importance of advanced industrial technologies in supporting sustainable development, resource efficiency, and the evolving needs of global raw materials and infrastructure markets.
