06/05/2005
800 jobs to go at Marconi
Telecoms equipment manufacturer Marconi has announced that 800 jobs are to go in the UK.
450 jobs are expected to go at the firm’s site in Coventry and another 350 are expected to be lost in Liverpool. Marconi currently employs around 4,300 in the UK.
The announcement comes after the company’s failure to secure a new contract with BT.
BT is one of Marconi’s biggest customers and there had already had been suggestions that jobs would go at the firm, following the announcement that Marconi had failed to win a contract for BT’s new £10 billion network upgrade. It had initially been feared that as many as 2,000 jobs could have been at risk.
Marconi also announced plans to combine its current product units with its regional business organisations in order to create four geographic “centres of excellence” in Europe and North America. The new centres – called SoftSwitch in Northern Europe, Wireless in Central Europe, Optical & Access Networks in Southern Europe and Data Networks in North America – would lead to significant cost savings, Marconi said, but would involve the dismantling of much of the UK-based central Operations organisation.
Mike Parton, CEO of Marconi, said: “We are committed to maintaining and improving the products and services we provide to our customers. The new leaner organisation that we have announced today allows us to maintain our product roadmaps, focusing our Research & Development expenditure on our key product lines whilst making significant cost savings mainly in overhead areas to underpin profitability.”
The jobs cuts have been criticised by trade union, Amicus. Peter Skyte, Amicus’ national officer, said: “This is a big blow for the company, its workforce and highly skilled jobs which the UK cannot afford to lose. Given that the company would not tell us anything two days ago about their plans for job cuts, this is a cynical ploy to put out bad news on the day of the general election results.”
However, Marconi spokesperson David Beck denied this was the case and told reporters that the announcement had been made in order to spare employees from “another weekend of uncertainty”.
(KMcA)
450 jobs are expected to go at the firm’s site in Coventry and another 350 are expected to be lost in Liverpool. Marconi currently employs around 4,300 in the UK.
The announcement comes after the company’s failure to secure a new contract with BT.
BT is one of Marconi’s biggest customers and there had already had been suggestions that jobs would go at the firm, following the announcement that Marconi had failed to win a contract for BT’s new £10 billion network upgrade. It had initially been feared that as many as 2,000 jobs could have been at risk.
Marconi also announced plans to combine its current product units with its regional business organisations in order to create four geographic “centres of excellence” in Europe and North America. The new centres – called SoftSwitch in Northern Europe, Wireless in Central Europe, Optical & Access Networks in Southern Europe and Data Networks in North America – would lead to significant cost savings, Marconi said, but would involve the dismantling of much of the UK-based central Operations organisation.
Mike Parton, CEO of Marconi, said: “We are committed to maintaining and improving the products and services we provide to our customers. The new leaner organisation that we have announced today allows us to maintain our product roadmaps, focusing our Research & Development expenditure on our key product lines whilst making significant cost savings mainly in overhead areas to underpin profitability.”
The jobs cuts have been criticised by trade union, Amicus. Peter Skyte, Amicus’ national officer, said: “This is a big blow for the company, its workforce and highly skilled jobs which the UK cannot afford to lose. Given that the company would not tell us anything two days ago about their plans for job cuts, this is a cynical ploy to put out bad news on the day of the general election results.”
However, Marconi spokesperson David Beck denied this was the case and told reporters that the announcement had been made in order to spare employees from “another weekend of uncertainty”.
(KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland Business News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
14 September 2001
Union leaders hold talks with Marconi
Union leaders are to hold talks with Marconi over the company’s plan to cut 2,000 jobs from its UK workforce. Some union officials have warned strike action could be called over the way the telecoms firm announced the cuts last week. The news follows the company’s relegation from the FTSE 100 index of leading listed UK firms.
Union leaders hold talks with Marconi
Union leaders are to hold talks with Marconi over the company’s plan to cut 2,000 jobs from its UK workforce. Some union officials have warned strike action could be called over the way the telecoms firm announced the cuts last week. The news follows the company’s relegation from the FTSE 100 index of leading listed UK firms.
04 September 2001
Marconi to cut a further 2,000 jobs
Telecoms equipment firm Marconi has revealed it is to axe a further 2,000 jobs on top of the 8,000 already announced earlier in the year. The company revealed the news after announcing that its two top executives had resigned.
Marconi to cut a further 2,000 jobs
Telecoms equipment firm Marconi has revealed it is to axe a further 2,000 jobs on top of the 8,000 already announced earlier in the year. The company revealed the news after announcing that its two top executives had resigned.
19 May 2015
ER Media To Create Seven New Jobs
ER Media in Banbridge is investing almost £400,000 and creating seven new jobs as part of plans to grow its global sales via its e-commerce printing web sites Need A Print and Pixa Prints.
ER Media To Create Seven New Jobs
ER Media in Banbridge is investing almost £400,000 and creating seven new jobs as part of plans to grow its global sales via its e-commerce printing web sites Need A Print and Pixa Prints.
14 January 2015
Randox To Create 540 New Jobs
First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have announced global diagnostics firm, Randox, is to create 540 quality jobs over four years resulting from a £29m capital investment. Randox, headquartered in Crumlin, Co.
Randox To Create 540 New Jobs
First Minister Peter Robinson and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness have announced global diagnostics firm, Randox, is to create 540 quality jobs over four years resulting from a £29m capital investment. Randox, headquartered in Crumlin, Co.
06 September 2001
Shares in mired Marconi tumble
Shares in crisis-hit telecoms equipment maker Marconi, have slumped 28 per cent to close at just 38 pence, wiping £400m off the firm's share value in one day. The FTSE 100 company has now lost 95 per cent of its value since the end of last year.
Shares in mired Marconi tumble
Shares in crisis-hit telecoms equipment maker Marconi, have slumped 28 per cent to close at just 38 pence, wiping £400m off the firm's share value in one day. The FTSE 100 company has now lost 95 per cent of its value since the end of last year.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.