The boom fell at Apple Computer Inc yesterday as the company confirmed that it will lay off about 2,500 workers as part of a broad restructuring to take effect over the next 12 months. Most of the layoffs will be completed this month, including 30 at the plant in Cork, Eire, which inter alia makes the PowerBooks for the world; the cuts in Ireland are relatively low because the company notes that manufacturing is set to play a key role in increasing market share. What will have to be very significant restructuring costs will be accounted for in the company’s third quarter ended June 25. The cut represents about 15.6% of the total workforce of about 16,000. Apple described the cuts as a broad re-engineering of the company to accelerate revenue, unit and earnings growth. It said it will release additional details including organisational changes designed to allow the company to compete more effectively, soon.
