Lenovo transfers production of PCs after shutout in Itu

Lenovo confirmed on Monday (16) the plant closing of computers and Data Centers installed in the city of Itu (SP). The production will be taken to an industrial complex in the city of Indaiatuba (SP). "The move aims to ensure the sustainability of the company''s business in the country in the face of the challenging scenario of the national economy, especially with regard to the PC segment," says the Executive Director of the company''s operations, Ricardo Bloj in interview with the G1. In addition to the production line of PCs and Data Center portfolio, which includes arrays and servers, 325 1000 square meters facilities on Highway SP-75 in Itu, which will be closed, houses also the Chinese manufacturer distribution center. With an investment announced at $ 30 million, the company began operating in the city in 2012. The new plant, located about 50 km from the current address on the same highway, should start operating in the second half of this year. The Chinese company did not inform if there will be cost reduction with the change to the new address for being considered a "strategic production data". The amount of computers and Data Centers produced was also not revealed. Avoid layoffs still according to the Executive Director of operations, the company developed a plan to avoid layoffs among today''s 600 workers. Heard by the G1 staff confirmed that the company offered transportation to the new factory and a bonus. "There will be no layoffs and we are encouraging all current employees to join us. We still don''t know the number of new vacancies that may be generated, because everything will depend on the transfer process and the status of the PC market, "says Bloj. In a statement, the city of Itu said it was notified by the company about the transfer of the plant because of a disagreement concerning the rental value of the property used by Lenovo in the city. "The direct impact of layoffs should be avoided with the maintenance of jobs, according to the Administration''s commitment", ends the note. Last year, the Chinese company that is considered the world''s largest manufacturer of personal computers, announced the resignation of 1000 employees 3.2 upon registering 51% drop in net income for the second quarter of 2015. At the time, the syndicate of the metalurgists of Itu and region disclosed that 75 employees of administrative and production areas were dismissed in the plant installed in the city. Lenovo already stated that no layoffs were registered in the city. "The current capacity in Itu is suited to production demand." Drop in sales the sale of computers of all plants in 2015 fell 10.4% worldwide, according to IDC consulting information disclosed in this year. With 277.5 million units sold last year, the PC market was below the 300 million sets for the first time since 2008 and had the biggest decline in history, says the think tank that for more than 50 years came with the technology market. In Brazil, the fall was even greater, reaching 36%. The marketing of 6.6 million units is the worst result since 2005. The average price, on the other hand, was 37% more expensive. According to IDC, the high of the dollar and the rate of unemployment influenced in the performance of computers. For 2016, IDC expects new drop in sales of 18%, and 20% increase in the disbursement of clients per client.