Reports of Intel layoffs have surfaced in recent weeks that rely on various company internal documents, but the official line from Intel public relations is not to disclose any hard numbers.
In June, OregonLive reported Intel would lay off 15% to 20% of its factory workers, and on Tuesday the outfit reported 529 layoffs in initial cuts. Many of Intel’s factory operations are based in Oregon, with 20,000 people employed on campuses in Washington County. The 529 figure includes 163 engineers in various roles.
Various news sources have said total layoffs globally could reach 10,000 or more across an enterprise of more than 100,000 employees, but again, Intel has not commented on that number. There’s a possibility the cuts will be discussed in greater detail when Intel holds its next earnings call on July 24. Last summer, Intel laid off 15,000 workers, leaving it with about 109,000 workers.
A spokesperson offered this statement to Fierce on Tuesday:
"As we announced earlier this year, we are taking steps to become a leaner, faster and more efficient company. Removing organizational complexity and empowering our engineers will enable us to better serve the needs of our customers and strengthen our execution. We are making these decisions based on careful consideration of what’s needed to position our business for the future, and we will treat people with care and respect as we complete this important work."
CEO Lip-Bu Tan told workers in April to expect layoffs in coming months. He wrote: “Intel was once widely seen as the world’s most innovative company. There’s no reason we can’t get back there, so long as we drive the changes needed to improve.
"It’s going to be hard. It will require painful decisions. But we will make them knowing it’s what we must do to serve our customers better as we build a new Intel for the future – and I have great confidence in the power of our team and our people to make it happen.”