Swedish telecoms giant Ericsson is to cut 700 jobs – more than 17% of its UK workforce – after it revealed plans to close a British site.
The firm said it will withdraw its research and development and global service delivery activities from Coventry by the middle of next year, in a bid to save £873m (SEK 10bn) following a collapse in its revenue.
The move is subject to consultations with trade unions and employee forums.
Mats Granryd, head of market unit North Western Europe at Ericsson, said in a statement: “These proposals represent sad news for our employees in Ansty Park, Coventry. We have to work continuously to increase efficiency and lower our cost base while ensuring we deliver solutions designed to meet our global customers’ needs.”
Unite was shocked at the announcement, as the site only opened in May. The union vowed to resist the proposals.
