Sony Ericsson is planning to shut down four of its centres globally, including its research and development (R&D) unit at Chennai. The Chennai site was set up in 2007 to focus on entry-level phones.

Sony Ericsson is planning to shut down four of its centres globally, including its research and development (R&D) unit at Chennai.

The Chennai site was set up in 2007 to focus on entry-level phones.

But with the company’s profits taking a hit, the decision is to focus on midto high-end phones. At present, the company is undergoing a major business transformation and is making changes to its global organisation in order to reduce costs and increase efficiencies. As part of the process due to be completed by mid-2010, Sony Ericsson has been phasing out activities in some of its locations worldwide as well as reducing its overall headcount.