Hewlett-Packard, the world's third-largest computer maker, has announced it will split into two companies to "sharpen the strategic focus" of its computer and scientific units. The company has missed analyst forecasts in at least six of the last nine quarters.
Hewlett Packard's printer business is the world's largest and accounted for about 35 per cent, or $16.5 billion of Hewlett-Packard's $47.1 billion in revenues last year. The company currently employs 1,500 people at its inkjet product manufacturing facility in Leixlip, and a further 100 people at its sales and services operation in Blackrock.
Hewlett-Packard, long known as an employer loyal to its employees, said it does not expect any "significant overall" job cuts due to the restructuring. The Irish operations are unlikely to be affected by the split as neither is involved in the scientific unit of the company. This specialist medical measurement and testing arm accounts for $7.6 billion of Hewlett Packard's annual sales.
The remaining computer business, which will retain the Hewlett-Packard name, includes the LaserJet, Inkjet, its mainframe and heavy-duty computing business using its version of the Unix operating system and the personal systems group, and its PC unit.
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