News

Canada’s RIM to cut 10% of global workforce

Blackberry manufacturer RIM is to shed around 2,000 jobs as it looks to restructure its second-tier management.

The job losses come as RIM struggles to keep pace with Apple and Google's operating systems. Among the departures is chief operating officer Don Morrsion, who went on medical leave in June, with Blackberry splitting his previous remit into two separate roles. Others affected by the cuts are expected to be informed later this week.

Shares in the company have fallen by 45% since June 2010 following a series delays to new products and underwhelming sales of the PlayBook tablet. The company’s smartphone business grew by 18% in Q2, the smallest rate of growth for more than four years.

The planned cuts also follow the acquisition of software company QNX in April 2010, which brought 270 additional employees with it.

This news comes despite recent claims by Blackberry that Comscore data relating to the sale figures for smartphones in the UK are wrong. The figures place Blackberry as the fourth most popular make of phone behind iPhone, Android and Nokia.

Josh Colley, London