LONDON (ShareCast) - Rolls-Royce said it will axe around 4% of its workforce in 2009, with 140 likely to go at the engine maker's assembly and test facility in Derby.

“Rolls-Royce has been reviewing the possible impact of current economic uncertainties, delays on individual programmes, such as the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 787, and the benefits of the group's continuing focus on efficiency,” said the group.

“While it is too early to be specific about the precise implications for the number and location of job reductions, the group's current assessment is that in 2009 it will be necessary to implement job reductions across the various sectors and functions of around 1,500 to 2,000 on a worldwide basis, including the reduction announced today,” it added.

The group currently employs around 39,000 people globally, of whom around 60% work in the UK.

Rolls-Royce also announced that it is consulting employee representatives about the proposed job cuts at its assembly and test facility in Derby, which forms part of the group's civil aerospace business.

The group said the cuts will have no effect on the 2008 financial guidance and the costs in 2009 are expected to be balanced by the savings achieved in the course of the year.

“We are determined to maintain our focus on cost reduction and competitiveness as the world economy enters a challenging period,” said chief executive John Rose.

“It is too early to determine the precise effects of the global economic downturn and programme delays. However, we wanted to give all our employees an early indication of the likely scale of the job reductions we expect in 2009,” he added.

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