Local Olivetti Plant May Escape Layoffs

The Spokane-based North American operations of Ing. C. Olivetti & Co. should not be affected by restructuring and layoffs announced for Europe earlier this week, Ted DeMerritt said Wednesday.

DeMerritt, president for North American operations, said the company is looking to add workers to its roster of 1,150, most of whom are in field offices around the United States and Canada.

“I don’t see any negative actions as a result of what they’re doing,” he said, adding that the reorganization should be good for Olivetti.

The Italian concern, which has struggled in recent years, said it will lay off 5,000 workers, issue new stock and increase its activity in telecommunications.

The bulk of the layoffs will occur in Olivetti’s personal computer operations. Although the banktransaction systems sold by the company in North America are based on that equipment, DeMerritt said the changes should not disrupt that business.

He added that the restructuring should dovetail with changes the company has already made in the United States.

, DataTimes