Adobe closes US headquarters for a week

Adobe has closed its US operations for a week in order to reduce costs, according to sources close to the firm.

The news follows the company's disclosure in June that profits had dropped 41 per cent in the past year. Adobe unveiled initial cost cutting efforts in December, including plans to shed 600 jobs, and reduce staff expenses and bonuses.

Adobe could not immediately be reached for comment, but John Nack, Adobe Photoshop senior product manager, explained in a personal blog entry that the closure makes sense.

"I'll bet you know what it's like to work near holidays: it's harder to make progress when lots of your colleagues are out of the office. If that's going to be the case, why not just schedule a break and save a bunch of money on facilities, security, and so forth?" he wrote.

"For a company of around 7,400 employees, saving a week's worth of summertime energy and other infrastructure expenses translates to real money. Meanwhile, Adobe headquarters - already the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Platinum-rated green building - is upgrading this week to even more energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning. The 20-story yellow crane I saw yesterday can't do its thing while people are inside or below."

Nack also reassured customers that the shutdown is "nothing new".

"I've worked here for nine years, and the company has done the shutdowns off and on throughout that time, at least since 2001 or 2002," he said. "I didn't hear the news of this one and say 'uh-oh'."

According to a Bloomberg report, Adobe told employees in March that it would impose one-week closures in the second, third and fourth quarters, and asked staff to take paid vacation time.