MORE than 100 jobs are believed to be at risk at the Dell Technologies campus in Limerick, following confirmation that the US corporation plans to lay off about five per cent of its global workforce.
The company’s Irish workforce has grown to around 5,000 in recent years with sites in Dublin and Cork as well as its base on the Raheen Business Park which includes the Dell Innovation Lab where the focus is on developing technologies in the areas of AI, 5G and the Internet of Things.
The decision to cut job numbers comes as Dell prepares for a potential recession and a slump in the personal computer market. It follows earlier cost-cutting measures including a pause on external hiring, limiting travel and a reduction in contractor services.
The company has not stated how many jobs are at risk and the areas most likely to be hit but a five per cent cut would indicate that around 250 people will lose their jobs in the Irish operations.
The last round of large scale layoffs at Dell was in 2009 when the company moved its computer manufacturing base to Poland with the loss of 1,900 at its then flagship European manufacturing plant in Limerick.
In the intervening years, Dell has created more non-manufacturing jobs in Limerick, Dublin and Cork and now employs more Irish workers than it did in 2009.
In a memo to staff, chief operations officer Jeff Clarke said Dell is experiencing market conditions that “continue to erode with an uncertain future,”
“Unfortunately, with changes like this, some members of our team will be leaving the company. There is no tougher decision, but one we had to make for our long-term health and success.
“We continuously evaluate operations to ensure the right structure is in place to provide the best value and support to partners and customers. This is part of our regular course of business,” he added.
