Sony Mobile Communications Announces New Operational Structure and Reduction in Workforce

AsiaNet 50414

LONDON, Aug. 23, /PRN=KYODO JBN/ --

    Sony Mobile Communications AB ("Sony Mobile") today announced that it is

altering the global operational structure of its development sites in Tokyo,

Japan, Lund, Sweden and Beijing, China. In October 2012, Sony Mobile will move

its corporate headquarters and certain other functions from Lund, Sweden, to

Tokyo, Japan. Sony Mobile has also redefined the roles and responsibilities of

each major development site to leverage the strengths of each respective site.

These measures aim to enhance operational and development capabilities of Sony

Mobile such as time to market efficiency, streamline supply chain management

and drive greater integration with the wider Sony group.

    "Sony has identified the mobile business as one of its core businesses and

the Xperia(TM) smartphone portfolio continues to gain momentum with customers

and consumers worldwide," said Kunimasa Suzuki, President and CEO of Sony

Mobile. "We are accelerating the integration and convergence with the wider

Sony group to continue enhancing our offerings, and a more focused and

efficient operational structure will help to reduce Sony Mobile's costs,

enhance time to market efficiency and bring the business back to a place of

strength."

    In relation to the operational structure changes, Sony Mobile plans to

reduce its global headcount by approximately 15 percent (approximately 1000

personnel, including consultants) throughout the financial years of 2012 and

2013 (i.e. by the end of March 2014) as the company seeks to increase

operational efficiency, reduce costs and drive profitable growth.

    Today Sony Mobile filed a redundancy notification ("varsel") with the

Swedish authorities to notify them that the company expects around 650

employees across a number of functions at Sony Mobile in Lund to be affected by

job closures. The remaining headcount reductions will be primarily consultants

in Sweden. Lund will continue to be an important strategic site for Sony

Mobile, with the main focus on software and application development.

    Sony Mobile is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Corporation, following

Sony Corporation's acquisition of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson's 50% stake

in Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, completed on February 15, 2012.

    "Sony" is a trademark of Sony Corporation. "Xperia" is a trademark of Sony

Mobile Communications. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the

property of their respective owners.

    For more information, images and videos please visit:

    pressreleases.sonymobile.com

    [http://pressreleases.sonymobile.com ]

    Sony Mobile Communications, Global Communications & PR department

    About Sony Mobile Communications

    Sony Mobile Communications is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation,

a leading global innovator of audio, video, game, communications, key device

and information technology products for both the consumer and professional

markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and online

businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading electronics and

entertainment company in the world. Through its Xperia(TM) smartphone

portfolio, Sony Mobile Communications delivers the best of Sony technology,

premium content and services, and easy connectivity to Sony's world of

networked entertainment experiences. For more information:

    http://www.sonymobile.com

    For further information, please contact:

    Sony Mobile Communcations,

    Global Communications and PR,

    General Press: +44(0)208-762-5858

    SOURCE: Sony Mobile Communications