Google slashing Motorola Mobility jobs by 20% and refocusing on smaller device Line-op

Looks like Google is in clean up mode right now with Motorola Mobility(MMI). Many of you will remember that Google bought the manufacturer last year, with the deal being finalized earlier this year. With Google at the helm we know that Motorola is in for some changes. Today marks one of those changes in a pretty big way. Google has just announced that they are closing 30 MMI global offices and will be laying off 4000 employees. That accounts for 20% of MMI employees. The good news, if one could call it that, is that only 1/3 of those are jobs here in the states.

This is a strategic move to help cut cost and help Motorola gain some ground again in the market. They plan to exit non-profitable markets, stop building low and mid range devices and refocus their efforts on a handful of devices. Essentially they are looking to trim the fat and stop producing dozen of devices a year. Sounds a bit like what HTC is and other manufacturers have started doing finally.

We’re excited about the smartphone business. The Google business is built on a wired model, and as the world moves to a pretty much completely wireless model over time, it’s going to be really important for Google to understand everything about the mobile consumer.” said new MMI CEO Dennis Woodside

It really is the right move for not only Google but for Motorola. Helping to get high-end long-term devices in customers hands rather than flooding the market. Hopefully Google has plans in their somewhere to help Motorola get timely updates pushed out for the latest Android OS versions too. While I have never personally been a fan of Motorola, with Google in the mix and pulling a few strings, we might just see some greatness come from the manufacturer.

Via Afterdawn