• Home
  • News
  • Fortune 500
  • Tech
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechBlackBerry

BlackBerry Makes Big Job Cuts

By
Jason Cipriani
Jason Cipriani
By
Jason Cipriani
Jason Cipriani
February 5, 2016 at 7:44 PM UTC
BlackBerry Ltd. Unveils The Square-Screened Passport Smartphone
John Chen, chief executive officer of BlackBerry Ltd., speaks on a Passport smartphone during a Bloomberg Television interview at a product announcement in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2014.Photograph by Hannah Yoon — Bloomberg/Getty Images

BlackBerry has laid off 35% of the workforce at its headquarters in Waterloo, Ontario, according to technology news site MobileSyrup. The same report says BlackBerry also cut 75 employees from its Sunrise, Fl. office.

The cuts at the company’s headquarters were first reported to impact nearly 1,000 employees, most of which were part of the company’s BlackBerry 10 and devices division according to the report.

However, a BlackBerry representative provided the following statement to Fortune, claiming the actual number was much lower:

“As BlackBerry continues to execute its turnaround plan, we remain focused on driving efficiencies across our global workforce. This means finding new ways to enable us to capitalize on growth opportunities, while driving toward sustainable profitability across all parts of our business. As a result, approximately 200 employees have been impacted in Canada and Florida. It also means that BlackBerry is actively recruiting in those areas of our business that will drive growth. For those employees that have recently left the company, we know that they have worked hard on behalf of our company and we are grateful for their commitment and contributions.”

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

BlackBerry’s handset business is in a transition to Google’s Android operating system, moving the company away from the its proprietary version, BlackBerry 10.

CEO John Chen has repeatedly said the company would continue to support BlackBerry 10 through regular updates and security improvements, but news of today’s cuts leave little hope that the platform has much life left.

For more on Android watch our video.

In November, BlackBerry introduced its first Android-powered smartphone, the Priv. Featuring a slide-out BlackBerry keyboard, the phone includes a physical keyboard and access to Android apps.

At the CES technology show last month, Chen told CNET the company plans to focus on Android handsets in 2016. He promised the company would release one—and possibly two—BlackBerry handsets running Google’s Android OS this year.

For more read BlackBerry’s First Android Smartphone Is a Mixed Bag

Chen’s goal is to return its devices division to profitability in 2016, and perhaps break even financially during the current quarter. One way to ensure that happens is to cut expenses.

A separate report from MobileSyrup says longtime BlackBerry employee, Gary Klassen, has also left the company. Klassen is credited with creating BlackBerry’s messaging service, BBM and had been with the company for nearly 16 years.

This post was updated at 3:41 p.m. with an updated statement from BlackBerry to clarify the number of employees let go.

About the Author
By Jason Cipriani
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.