Dyson has revealed plans for 1,000 job losses in the UK.
The manufacturer of innovative vacuum cleaners and other products said the cuts, which amount to more than a quarter of its UK workforce of 3,500, followed a review of its global needs.
It is understood the decision is not linked to the UK general election, as the process had begun beforehand.
The company’s founder Sir James Dyson had previously been critical of the Conservative government‘s approach to economic growth and science. Labour’s plans had also come under fire.
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Chief executive Hanno 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,” he concluded.
Dyson signalled the UK would remain a vital centre for its research and development operation.
Dyson said in 2019 it was moving its headquarters to Singapore from the UK. Pic: AP
Malmsbury to remain home to Dyson Institute
The campus at Malmesbury in Wiltshire will also continue to be home to the Dyson Institute, which provides undergraduate engineering programmes.
It had been the company’s historic UK headquarters until 2019 when Sir James decided on a shift to Singapore.
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Move ‘not due to Brexit’
The billionaire entrepreneur, who readily spoke out in favour of Brexit, denied the move was a reaction to the UK’s departure from the European Union.
Asia has long been Dyson’s manufacturing base due to lower costs and its core growth market for sales.
The company faced criticism however because by moving to Singapore, Dyson took advantage of the EU’s free trade agreement with the city state and averted new UK-EU trade curbs.