Dyson is set to cut around 1,000 jobs in the UK as part of plans to reduce and restructure its global workforce. Staff at the vacuum cleaner manufacturer, with an office based in Bristol, were informed of the plans and possible redundancies today, Tuesday, July 9.
Chief executive Hanno Kirner said the company is proposing changes in its organisation “which may result in redundancies”. The Financial Times reports around 1,000 UK roles are at risk, amounting to nearly one quarter of its workforce in the country.
Mr Kirner said: “We have grown quickly and, like all companies, we review our global structures from time to time to ensure we are prepared for the future. As such, we are proposing changes to our organisation, which may result in redundancies.
“Dyson operates in increasingly fierce and competitive global markets, in which the pace of innovation and change is only accelerating. We know we always need to be entrepreneurial and agile – principles that are not new to Dyson.
“Decisions which impact close and talented colleagues are always incredibly painful. Those whose roles are at risk of redundancy as a result of the proposals will be supported through the process.”
Last year, the company announced plans for a new tech hub in Bristol, opposite Castle Park where it said “hundreds” of software and AI engineers could work.
This is a breaking story. We will bring you updates in the live blog below as we get them.
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Dyson plans for Bristol
It is unclear how the drastic cost-cutting measures announced by Dyson today will affect the company’s plans for its Bristol tech hub at number one Georges Square in Redcliffe. Announced in May, it was described as having the potential to house “hundreds” of software and AI engineers working on a 10-year pipeline of products and apps. PA reports that the group’s commitment to the UK as a major base for research and development is not thought to be affected by the job cuts, while the Dyson Institute – which provides undergraduate engineering programmes – will continue to be based at the Malmesbury site in Wiltshire. Read the full story of the Bristol tech hub here.
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Full Dyson CEO statement
“We have grown quickly and, like all companies, we review our global structures from time to time to ensure we are prepared for the future. As such, we are proposing changes to our organisation, which may result in redundancies.
“Dyson operates in increasingly fierce and competitive global markets, in which the pace of innovation and change is only accelerating. We know we always need to be entrepreneurial and agile – principles that are not new to Dyson.
“Decisions which impact close and talented colleagues are always incredibly painful. Those whose roles are at risk of redundancy as a result of the proposals will be supported through the process.”