ENGINES giant Rolls-Royce is to cut 2,600 jobs over the next 18 months as part of a restructuring that will mainly impact its aerospace operation.
The group, which includes two sites in Barnoldswick, which suffered cutbacks earlier this year, warned last month that the tough economic climate meant it would have to increase its focus on costs, including through its headcount.
Speaking on Tuesday, chief executive John Rishton said: “The measures announced today will not be the last, however they will contribute towards Rolls-Royce becoming a stronger and more profitable company.”
Rolls-Royce employs more than 55,000 people in 45 countries. More than 17,000 of these are engineers.
The company shocked the City earlier this year with a warning that it will fail to grow in 2014 due to the impact of defence spending cuts. It added last month that it expects profits in 2015 will also be up to three per cent lower as customers delay or cancel orders due to worsening economic conditions.
It said the majority of the planned headcount reduction is expected to take place next year, but it has not disclosed where it expects to make the job cuts.
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