Telephone systems provider TalkSwitch "readjusted (its) staff mix" on Monday to reflect changes in its market segments, but plans to hire more employees in the new year, said company president and chief executive Jan Scheeren.
While declining to discuss specific employee numbers despite rumours of layoffs at the Ottawa-based company, Mr. Scheeren said the adjustment was a "prudent business act" for the company, which designs and manufactures phone systems for small businesses.
"Our market segment is changing ... because a lot more small businesses are realizing that products such as ours are available and how useful that can be to their business," said Mr. Scheeren in a telephone interview.
He added TalkSwitch would be moving more into marketing and sales as a percentage of its business.
Sales at the "profitable and strong" company are up 15 per cent, with international growth more than offsetting any softness in the U.S. market, said Mr. Scheeren.
TalkSwitch has also benefited from the recent plunge in the Canadian dollar's value. Most of its products are priced in U.S. dollars, while its expenses are in Canadian dollars.
The company, which was formed in 1990, plans to announce the sale of its 35,000th unit later this week, said Mr. Scheeren.
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