Philips Slashes Jobs at Washington Plant

Philips Healthcare has reportedly laid off an unknown number of employees recently from the Amsterdam-based company’s plant in Bothell, Wash.

The global electronics company’s Bothell campus specializes in medical devices such as ultrasound equipment. The firm’s latest earnings report showed that there would be staffing reductions in the United States.

“I don’t think it’s a great secret to anyone that the economy has been rough, and it’s been especially rough in the healthcare industry,” Philips Healthcare spokesman Steve Kelly said.

He said he couldn’t specify how many employees were cut, or what percentage of the staff they made up. Some employees received severance notices.

“(This is) something that we certainly never take lightly,” Kelly said. “Our executive team has been pretty forthcoming in our communication to employees.”

The Bothell campus was purchased by Philips in 1998 when it bought ATL Ultrasound.