FEARS are mounting that IBM could be preparing to pull out of one its two Greenock locations as part of a massive programme of job losses.

The computer giant is refusing to rule out such a move — saying that ‘change is constant and transformation permanent’ within its industry and business model.

Worried workers have told the Telegraph that bosses intend to slash 25 per cent of jobs worldwide within IBM’s hardware business, Systems Technology Group (STG), before the end of this month.

They say that this will have a ‘devastating’ effect on Greenock and could result in the closure of the remainder of the company’s Spango Valley site — leaving Pottery Street, pictured, as IBM’s sole Inverclyde location.

One staff member said: “I have heard that the level of cuts in Greenock will be high and could lead to the closure of one of the locations.

“The idea of having two sites now seems impossible.

“In my view Pottery Street will be the main location and that has a capacity for around 300 folk.

“There were 5,000 employed in Greenock by IBM 10 years ago and that’s down to just around 1,000 now.” The fresh claims come just weeks after staff said that all local jobs connected to a separate £1.4 billion sale of a server business would be lost.

But it is feared that the situation could become even worse.

Another insider said: “There have also been indications that further cuts could be possible if the STG business does not improve throughout the year.

“A process has now started which will see employees being offered separation packages and it has been made clear that if the uplift is not met through voluntary means then compulsory separation will be the next step.” A colleague of our source added: “There is usually scope to move job within the company but there are pretty much no jobs available internally.

“There’s nowhere safe to go to — people don’t know where there will be a safe haven with some level of job security.” The Tele told last month how IBM had refused to comment on speculation that every job connected with the sale of its x-86 server business to Chinese firm Lenovo would go.

It is understood that a manufacturing facility in Hungary which is supported by Greenock will close as a result of the x-86 deal, with its operations moving to China.

But IBM insisted today that this would have ‘very little to no impact’ on Greenock.

A spokesman said: “There are no roles transferring from Greenock to China.” Claims that one local IBM site could close as a result of the upheaval within the STG side of the business were also put to the company.

The IBM spokesman said: “Change is constant in our industry and transformation is a permanent feature of our business model.

“Consequently, some level of workforce remix is an ongoing part of our business.

“This is separate and unrelated to the announced sale of IBM’s x86 business to Lenovo.

“Given the competitive nature of our business, we do not publicly discuss the details of our staffing plans.”