KEMPELE, FINLAND -- The electronics manufacturing division of PKC Group could lay off up to 80 workers as part of a cost-cutting move to better compete with lower-cost regions.

PKC Electronics Oy today issued a proposal to begin negotiations with all its personnel, a move the company said "may lead to termination of employment of a maximum of 80 persons."

"Customers have transferred their production to lower-cost countries, due to which also PKC Group’s Electronics segment’s operations have been grown in lower-cost countries. Planned reduction of production and support functions in Finland is in line with strategy and aims to improve profitability," president and CEO Harri Suutari said.