Music group EMI today announced that it was cutting 1,500 jobs as part of a shake-up of its manufacturing operations.
The group said it would reduce staff numbers by about 900 in the Netherlands and the US as it moves to contract out production of compact discs and DVDs.
EMI added that it was restructuring some of its record labels and artist roster, particularly in continental Europe.
EMI said the cuts would come in its recorded music division, which has artists including Radiohead, Coldplay and Robbie Williams in its portfolio.
It said it expected to save at least £50m per year, of which £25m would be delivered in the financial year ending March 31, 2005.
It said it would stop in-house manufacturing of CDs and DVDs in Europe and the US. EMI plans to transfer manufacturing and related assets at its plant in Uden in the Netherlands to Mediamotion, a member of the Dutch ECF Group. Employees at that plant will transfer to Mediamotion.
It added that it planned to close its factory at Jacksonville, Illinois in the US and had told the affected staff.
EMI also said it was reducing its global roster of artists by about 20%, which would affect largely 'niche and under-performing artists'.
In a trading update accompanying the announcement, it said full-year sales in recorded music were close to the previous year's level and the company had put in 'a solid performance' in music publishing.
