SINGAPORE, 9 MARCH 2009 – A spokeswoman from HP Asia Pacific Japan has responded to Computerworld Singapore’s queries regarding rumoured retrenchments in its Singapore office.
Computerworld Singapore, acting on a confidential tip-off, had approached the technology giant for confirmation as to whether the company had laid off close to 30 research and development (R & D) staff members of its Singapore office.
Joanne Tan, from the corporate marketing department of HP Asia Pacific Japan, confirmed the staff changes formed part of HP’s earlier announced plans to ‘realign and streamline’ its global business.
“As part of the HP Imaging and Printing Group’s continued Print 2.0 transformation, the business announced plans in June 2008 to realign and streamline its organisation by reducing the number of its global business units from five to three customer solutions-oriented businesses. The realignment of the Imaging and Printing Group’s business entails shifting resources from slower growing businesses to new business opportunities,” said Tan.
“These decisions will be made at the level of the global business unit and are not specific to HP sites. As part of this global realignment exercise, a number of employees working in the Imaging and Printing Group’s R&D lab in Singapore were impacted.”
In response to an additional query about possible further cuts in the Singapore office, Tan said: “As part of our normal course of operations, each business and function in HP will continue to evaluate their workforce to ensure alignment to their strategy and goals. We have always had a long-standing and disciplined approach to managing costs in order to invest in the company’s growth. However, at this moment, a company-wide workforce reduction is not being contemplated.”
When asked to elaborate on the number of employees affected, and when the unconfirmed layoffs took place, Tan declined, saying: “We are not providing that level of detail.”
