Rumor: RIM to lay off at least 2,000 more workers
updated 09:55 am EDT, Mon May 28, 2012
Another round of layoffs as BlackBerry maker struggles
BlackBerry manufacturer Research In Motion is likely to lay off 2,000 or more workers in the coming months, sources tell AllThingsD. The handset maker has seen its fortunes decline in light of the popularity of the iPhone and Android-powered handsets, and the rumored restructuring would be a bid toward streamlining operations and realizing the sort of substantial change executives have previously said was necessary for the company.
The layoffs are said to be scheduled to start around the beginning of June, prior to the end of RIM's first fiscal quarter. RIM already laid off staff last year, following a poor quarter; the new round of layoffs could see the company's workforce drop from 16,500 to 14,500 by the end of the summer. Cuts are expected to hit every department, and may include a number of executives.
RIM is already said to have begun purging executives at the company as it struggles to compete with other handset manufacturers. The company's market share has continued to drop as Android and iOS devices surge.
Later this year, the company will roll out the newest iteration of its BlackBerry device, as well as an updated version of its operating system, though those devices will likely have to significantly outperform RIM's recent offerings in order to bring some semblance of stability back to the company.
