BlackBerry has announced a fresh round of job cuts as the company aims to return its devices arm to profitability and focus more on its software and services business.
"As the company moves into its next stage of the turnaround, our intention is to reallocate resources in ways that will best enable us to capitalize on growth opportunities while driving toward sustainable profitability," said BlackBerry, in a statement emailed to Total Telecom on Wednesday.
"As a result, we have made the decision to consolidate our device software, hardware and applications business, impacting a number of employees around the world," the company said.
BlackBerry did not put a number on exactly how many employees will be axed. It did say that it will recruit more sales and marketing staff in an bid to drive software and services sales.
"We will also continue to make strategic partnerships and hires to focus on driving sales and delivering new offerings across high growth areas of our business," BlackBerry said.
The announcement comes amid fresh rumours that a number of device makers are considering launching takeover bids for BlackBerry.
Sources cited by DigiTimes late last week allege that Microsoft, and Chinese vendors Huawei, Lenovo and Xiaomi are interested in acquiring the company.
The report claims Microsoft has hired investment companies to advise it on a possible bid, with a view to bolstering its position in the enterprise mobility and connected cars markets. Meanwhile the Chinese players reportedly view BlackBerry as a means of increasing their exposure in the U.S. and Europe.
