BlackBerry announces more layoffs
What you need to know:
- The company currently employs about 7,000 workers internationally.
MONTREAL, Sunday
BlackBerry is laying off an unspecified number of workers around the world as the struggling smartphone manufacturer tries to make its device business profitable.
The Canadian company, based in Waterloo, Ontario, said the cuts would impact those working on the software, hardware and applications side of the business.
“As the company moves into its next stage of the turnaround, our intention is to reallocate resources in ways that will best enable us to capitalise on growth opportunities while driving toward sustainable profitability across all facets of our business,” BlackBerry said in a statement to AFP on Saturday.
A spokeswoman refused to provide additional information about the cuts.
7,000 WORKERS
The company currently employs about 7,000 workers internationally.
BlackBerry, which only a decade ago was a titan in the smartphone business, has been forced into a major reorganisation focusing more on software and services since being overtaken in the market for mobile devices.
An IDC survey showed BlackBerry managed to capture just 0.4 per cent of global smartphone sales last year.
“One of our priorities is making our device business profitable,” said BlackBerry.
“At the same time, we must grow software and licensing revenues. You will see in the coming months a significant ramping up in our customer-facing activities in sales and marketing.” (AFP)
