Bombardier to cut 7,500 jobs worldwide in latest cost-saving move

21 October 2016, 15:13 | Updated: 21 October 2016, 16:54

Bombardier has announced a new round of job losses worldwide, having cut 1,340 UK roles in February.

The Canadian train-to-plane manufacturer said it planned to cut a further 7,500 jobs, or 10% of its total workforce, as part of its transformation efforts, saying it needed to reduce costs more aggressively and refocus investment.

It was yet to give a full breakdown on where the positions would go, with more details expected in the coming weeks, though at least 2,000 would be in Canada.

The company said its transportation division, which incorporates the train side of the business, would feel the bulk of the pain.

It currently employs under 2,000 staff at its UK train operation - based in Derby - responsible for producing a significant chunk of the UK's rolling stock for both mainline train operators and the London Underground.

There were 270 roles shed there in February.

Bombardier's aerospace division in Belfast endured over 1,000 job losses at the same time - almost a fifth of the workforce.

Then, 7,000 roles were ditched across the group as a whole.

Today, Alain Bellemare, president and chief executive of Bombardier, said: "After successfully de-risking our business last year, our focus has shifted to building a clear path to profitable earnings growth and cash generation.

"The actions announced today will ensure we have the right cost structure, workforce and organisation to compete and win in the future."

The company suggested non-production roles were most at risk as it looked to invest more in its key growth areas - and hire accordingly.