High-tech chipmaker Intel recently faced another wave of layoffs, focusing on cutting jobs in its sales and marketing departments.
The company said in a short statement: “Our goal is to best reflect the markets and customers we serve. We continue to evaluate our structure through perspective.'' These job cuts, first reported by CRN, highlight Intel's continued efforts to streamline its operations.
Details of the exact number of job cuts remain unclear, and the extent of the impact remains unclear. The impact of these layoffs will be felt especially in Oregon, where Intel maintains a significant presence. Intel has confirmed a California layoff notice detailing 62 job cuts at its Santa Clara headquarters, but Oregon numbers remain elusive. This lack of transparency is similar to Intel's last round of layoffs in 2023, when the company declined to disclose specific numbers for its Oregon workforce.
Last year, Intel went through a series of layoffs, reducing its overall workforce from about 132,000 to 125,000. Despite this global downsizing trend, Oregon saw a net increase in employment of 1,000 jobs, bringing the total number of employees to 23,000. Washington County is Intel's largest hub in the world, underscoring the importance of these developments in the state.
Although Intel's financial performance showed some improvement in the second half of 2023, recent reports that the company was incurring $7 billion in operating losses at its semiconductor factories spooked investors. The financial setback coincides with Intel's announcement of factory results and the company's efforts to provide contract manufacturing services to other chip companies.
Even in the midst of these challenges, Intel remains committed to its long-term strategic turnaround efforts. The company is aiming to recover its technological capabilities and strengthen its profit margins after losing ground to Asian manufacturers in recent years. As Intel continues on this transformation journey, the impact of recent job cuts highlights the evolving landscape of the semiconductor industry.
