Microsoft has been in the news recently after reports that the company will be laying off thousands of employees. The layoffs were reportedly due to a recent sales reorganization; however, it appears that manufacturing will be involved in some restructuring as well.
On July 11th, 2017, it was reported that Microsoft will close the company's Surface Hub manufacturing facility in Oregon, cutting 124 jobs in the process. The Surface Hub is the company's large display, interactive whiteboard that businesses typically use to collaborate.
The Portland-area manufacturing facility was acquired as part of the Perceptive Pixel acquisition in 2012. The office that is closing was responsible for the development of the Surface Hub. According to reports, many involved with the Hub’s development are reportedly no longer with Microsoft, or have moved to the company's campus in Redmond, Washington.
The Puget Sound Business Journal acquired an internal email, which stated that 61 people will be terminated on September 8, 2017. All remaining positions will likely be eliminated by January 5, 2017.
According to the company, Microsoft remains committed to the product.
For THOMASNET.com, I’m David Mantey, and this is Your Industrial Daily.