RIM to lay off 2,000

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WATERLOO, Ontario, July 25 (UPI) -- Canadian technology firm Research in Motion Ltd. said Monday it would lay off 2,000 workers, sending them notices by the end of the week.

The cut pares down the global workforce of the Blackberry smartphone maker to 17,000, the company said in a statement.

RIM said the layoffs "are intended to create greater alignment of the organization and to streamline RIM's operations in order to better position the company for future growth and profitability."

RIM also said it was shuffling several top management positions.

Thorsten Heins, chief operating officer of product and sales, will take charge over "newly consolidated hardware and software departments," essentially putting him in charge of the company's engineering staff.

Jim Rowan, chief operations officer, will oversee organizational development and facilities.