Suunto Finland layoffs, Digi Mart USA News (Finland): Outdoor equipment manufacturer Suunto was founded in Finland in 1936 and developed and manufactured its products there for decades. That has gradually changed since its acquisition by Chinese wearable manufacturer Liesheng in 2022, as an increasing share of development and production has been moved to China to cut costs.
According to a report by Finnish magazine Helsingin Sanomat, Suunto has sent a notice to its remaining roughly 160 employees in Finland announcing large-scale layoffs. Around 118 employees, or 74 percent of positions, are to be cut, primarily in research, development and production, while management positions are not affected.
Suunto Finland is reportedly still negotiating with Liesheng over exactly which positions will ultimately be eliminated.
The announcement is not entirely unexpected. Suunto’s Chinese owner had already announced plans in 2024 to move production entirely to China.
The source suggests Liesheng is primarily seeking to lower costs so it can better compete with Chinese brands such as Amazfit.
The source also notes that this shift could make it harder for the manufacturer to justify premium prices for products such as the Suunto Ocean. Keeping a few positions in Finland could still be useful, the report says, because it allows the company to keep promoting the brand’s Finnish roots.
