TORONTO -- BlackBerry (TSX:BB) has given layoff notices to 250 workers at its product testing facility in Waterloo, Ont., where the global smartphone company is based.

The employees, who supported the company's manufacturing, research and development efforts, were notified on Tuesday.

The latest cuts were reported late Wednesday by CTV News and confirmed Thursday in a company email to The Canadian Press.

"This is part of the next stage of our turnaround plan to increase efficiencies and scale our company correctly for new opportunities in mobile computing. We will be as transparent as possible as those plans evolve," the email said.

About 5,000 employees were laid off last year in restructuring efforts.

BlackBerry is trying to recover a stronger position in the highly competitive smartphone market with its new BlackBerry 10 line of phones and operating system.

At the company's annual general meeting earlier this month, CEO Thorsten Heins told shareholders that BlackBerry is in the midst of a "complex transition."

He encouraged investors to remain patient while the company navigates its plan to become profitable again.

BlackBerry shares rose a penny on Wednesday to close at $9.30.