Apple Reportedly Looking To Recruit BlackBerry Workers In Waterloo

Rim headquarters

Just two weeks back, an in-depth investigative article revealed that BlackBerry’s fall from grace was in big part initiated by the introduction of Apple’s iPhone in 2007. Today, a report by The Financial Post is claiming that the BlackBerry-killer from Cupertino is after the Canadian company’s workforce, hosting a “recruitment drive” 20 kilometres away from BlackBerry’s Waterloo, Ont. home base.

BlackBerry has already revealed plans to lay off 40% of its global workforce amid disastrous financial results. And just days after the announcement, Apple reportedly lured BlackBerry employees to its Silicon Valley operations, by hosting a recruitment drive in the Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre on Sept. 26, which is located in Cambridge, Ont. on the outskirts of the Kitchener-Waterloo region where BlackBerry was born. Ouch!

“Most positions will be based in Cupertino, CA.,” according to a LinkedIn invite sent to certain BlackBerry employees and obtained by the Financial Post. “Relocation and immigration assistance will be provided for candidates that are hired, as needed.”

According to another recent report by Bloomberg, BlackBerry is warming up to the idea of a breakup of the company, due to concerns that Fairfax Financial Holdings may note be able to line up funding or partners for a $4.7 billion buyout.

“BlackBerry has been soliciting rival bids after agreeing last month to a tentative $4.7 billion offer from Fairfax, its largest shareholder. Under that pact, BlackBerry has until Nov. 4 to consider other proposals while Fairfax and a group of investors conduct due diligence and line up financing.”

BackBerry has recently announced a US $1-billion loss and that it would cut 4,500 jobs from their ranks worldwide.

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