Sources: Big layoffs hit at Syniverse

Major layoffs have apparently hit at Syniverse in Tampa.

The technology company, which employs nearly 900 in Tampa, is a global transaction processor.

The layoffs have not been confirmed. In an email, the company did not address job cuts.

"Syniverse continually assesses our operations and employees around the globe to ensure we're able to continue to enable our more than 1,500 customers' success," said Bobby Eagle, corporate spokesman. "As standard course of business, we look to streamline costs and maximize efficiencies as needed, but do not provide specifics."

A call seeking any information filed with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity is pending response.

One source close to the company who asked not to be named said 10 percent of the company's workforce is being laid off. Other arm's length sources are backing up those details. Word on the street is that as few as 85 have been let go and as many as 300.

Another person familiar with the matter who didn't want to be identified said this was just the initial round of job cuts. That person expected as much as one-quarter of the staff to be cut by December. Interim CEO Stephen Gray has said December will be "rocky," according to that source.

As of Dec. 31, 2013, the company had 2,589 full-time equivalent employees, with approximately 60 percent located outside the United States, a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said. The company employed 867 locally, according to the TBBJ' s 2014 Book of Lists.

Sources told the TBBJ 20 percent of the layoffs are local.

Reasons for the layoffs are unclear. A source familiar with operations said certain technology services that have been driving revenue are waning in demand and that has the company is projecting a 30 percent drop in revenue next year.

Alexis Muellner is Editor of the Tampa Bay Business Journal.