Toronto-based, electronics OEM, Celestica, who happens to be one of Research in Motion’s largest hardware manufacturers, announced today that the company will stop making BlackBerry hardware over the next 3 to 6 months.
The company saw its BlackBerry related revenue which accounted for 32% of total revenue in Q1 2011 drop down to just 19% in Q1 2012. The significant decrease in demand for BlackBerry devices will see this trend continue, so, Celestica decided to get out of the BlackBerry business all together releasing the following statement:
June 18, 2012
TORONTO, Canada – Celestica Inc. (NYSE, TSX: CLS), a global leader in the delivery of end-to-end product lifecycle solutions, today announced that over the course of the next three to six months, it will wind down its manufacturing services for Research in Motion (RIM).
Celestica has been a high-performing manufacturing supplier for RIM and will work closely with RIM throughout the transition. As discussed on the company’s first quarter results conference call on April 24, Celestica has been working with RIM as it assesses its supply chain strategy. Celestica estimates that prior to any recoveries, its restructuring charges will not exceed $35 million.
More details about this announcement will be provided as part of the company’s second-quarter results press release and conference call, which are scheduled for Friday, July 27.
In addition, Celestica is reaffirming its second quarter financial guidance that was provided on April 24. The company anticipates revenue to be in the range of $1.65 billion to $1.75 billion, and adjusted net earnings per share to be in the range of $0.20 to $0.26.
[Source]
Yeah, this is the kind of stuff that happens right before companies go out of business…
RIM is winding down their work with a vendor and you assume this is the end of times for BlackBerry? This may be bad for Celestica, but could mean nothing to RIM. BlackBerry 10 will be may need a whole different manufacturing process and Celestica may not be an ideal partner.
:(((( Poor RIM