Research in Motion lays off workers; Irving office to remain open (Blackberry phone, 200 laid-off)

The Dallas Business Journal ^ | November 7, 2012 | Jeff Bounds, Senior Staff Writer

[2ndDivisionVet]

Research in Motion, the maker of the BlackBerry smartphone, did a layoff at its U.S. headquarters in Irving Wednesday, a source familiar with the situation said.

The source, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, confirmed that a majority of those affected were call-center staffers.

There was speculation that approximately 200 staffers were let go, although the source could not confirm a number. RIM employs in the ballpark of 700 people in Irving, the source said.

In an emailed statement, a RIM spokesman declined to comment on the layoff. The company is reducing its global workforce by around 5,000 people, but has not specified which markets or departments are being affected, the spokesman’s statement said.

The company statement denied rumors that it had shuttered the North Texas location.

“It’s not true that we have closed our offices in Irving,” the statement said. “We remain committed to Irving as an important location for RIM and we are grateful for the support we will get from the local community and government as we work through this difficult transition.”

[2ndDivisionVet]

The hits just keep on coming.

[Shadow44]

RIM has been circling the drain for some time, but I’m sure 4 more years of Obamanomics is not what they need right now.

So who does Obama blame now for all of his problems? Barack Obama?

[Melas]

I’m surprised that RIM has made this far. At first a total refusal, and then a total failure to compete against Apple and Android. RIM execs blew more calls than a monkey flipping coins could have.

[ex91B10]

Don't forget Navistar: 600 jobs gone (announced last wk.).

[whitedog57]

Obama’s strategies are really working!

http://confoundedinterest.wordpress.com/2012/11/08/vampires-werewolves-and-the-post-election-market-reaction/

[RockyTx]

I would suggest the Republicans boycott
those companies that held off announcing
layoffs until after
the election.

is the somewhere
a comprehensive list?

[Dilbert San Diego]

There sure have been numerous layoff announcements just in the last 2 days since election day. It makes you wonder how it is that so many companies were sitting on these layoff plans, but chose not to announce them until after the election.

[littleharbour]

Another formerly great Canadian IT company bites the dust. Corel (remember WordPerfect ?), Nortel and now RIM. Companies that rode a wave and then died because they failed to innovate.

[uncommonsense]

"At first a total refusal, and then a total failure to compete against Apple and Android."

I have a different take - it's not as much about Apple as it is about RIM failing to keep their quality standards up to the level needed by their existing customers.

RIM's success was built on the reputation that its hardware and software was rock solid and secure. Their enterprise infrastructure and connectivity was the best available, their device / software bundles offered exceptional functionality, usability, and reliability, and their customer service was very good. Speaking as a long term customer - not anymore.

The network has had major, multiday outages, the software reliability has taken a nose dive, and their browser is garbage.

[Morris70]

Why is this company still around ?
Need to develop smart cards for smart phones.
Everything’s made in china anyways.
Heck, even the routers on the gunships are Chinese.