Report: Kongsberg to swing jobs axe

Kongsberg Maritime, a Norwegian offshore and marine technology company, is reportedly looking to further downsize its workforce by another 100 permanent employees.

According to reports made by a local newspaper, Laagendalsposten, Kongsberg Maritime held an open meeting on Thursday when the company announced its downsizing plans.

Kongsberg Gruppen Director of Communications, Ronny Lie, said during the meeting that the downsizing comes as a result of reduced activity in the offshore sector. This is also where the bulk of the cuts coming, the newspaper cited Lie as saying.

Lie also said that the need for downsizing is regrettable, but that necessary market adjustments must be made to ensure competitiveness in a demanding offshore market.

Laagendalsposten has informed that the latest round of layoffs is in addition to a 100 permanent employees already axed since October 2015.

Kongsberg Group’s financial reports reveal that the company had 7,688 employees at the end of 2015. However, at the end of the first quarter which ended on March 31, 2016, the number was 7,648. More details are expected to be revealed on August 28, 2016, when the company is slated to reveal its financial results for the second quarter of 2016.

Offshore Energy Today has reached out to representatives of Kongsberg Gruppen seeking confirmation and more info on the layoffs report.

We will update the article if and when we get a response.

Offshore Energy Today Staff