No decision yet on ANZ job losses as Nokia culls 17,000 worldwide

Friday 25th November 2011

Nokia Siemens Networks, the wireless equipment maker, says it hasn’t yet determined how many jobs will be eliminated in New Zealand and Australia as part of its plan to cull a quarter of its global workforce.

Nokia Siemens employs 500 workers across New Zealand and Australia, with approximately 30 staff in its Auckland office.

The company is “entering into detailed planning” and can’t give details yet, Nokia’s Finland-based head of media relations Ben Roome told BusinessDesk. “I just don’t know” how many jobs will be affected down under.

Nokia announced yesterday that 17,000 jobs would be cut as it targets annual cost savings of US$1 billion by 2013. The company is tightening its belt in the face of stiff competition in global markets from rivals Samsung and Apple’s iPhone.

It plans to focus on its mobile broadband network and services to maintain long-term competitiveness and improve profitability, according to its statement.

In 2010, Nokia Siemens New Zealand reported a net profit of $2.9 million, following a $1.8 million loss in 2009, according to its latest accounts filed with the Companies Office.

Nokia Siemens has approximately 74,000 employees in 150 countries.

BusinessDesk.co.nz

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