Sony Ericsson to slash staff numbers (at FT.com)

is slashing up to 17 per cent of its workforce, as the handset manufacturer announced disappointing second-quarter results. The company - a joint venture between Ericsson of Sweden and Japan's Sony - reported a slide in second-quarter pre-tax profits to €8m ($12.7m), down from €327m in the same quarter last year and €193m in the first quarter of 2008. Dick Komiyama, president, said the company had too many similar products and needed to "sharpen its... [read full story]