[November 20, 2009] Sony Ericsson to trim 130 jobs on closure of R&D unit in Stockholm Tweet (Telecomworldwire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) 19 November 2009 - Swedish-Japanese handset maker Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB plans to close its research and development (R&D) unit in the Stockholm suburb of Kista in mid-2010, cutting a total 130 jobs, spokesman Gustaf Brusewitz confirmed Wednesday to Swedish newswire TT. Sony Ericsson is a 50/50 join venture of Sweden's Ericsson (STO: ERIC) and Japan's Sony Corp (TYO: 6758). The closure will also affect some 100 consultants related to the R&D unit. The move is part of Sony Ericsson's global cost-reduction programme, aimed at generating savings of EUR400m. The programme implies that a total 2,000 employees and consultants will leave the company by the summer of 2010. Yesterday's news will not affect Sony Ericsson's R&D unit in Lund, southern Sweden, where 400 staff, mostly consultants, were given lay-off notices in May this year. Sony Ericsson will also close a number of other R&D units, including those in Chennai, southern India, and in Research Triangle Park in North Carolina, USA. (EUR1 = USD1.5) ((Comments on this story may be sent to [email protected])) (c) 2009 M2 COMMUNICATIONS [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]