Thu Aug 12, 2004

NEW YORK (Reuters) - International Business Machines Corp. (IBM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Thursday it would nearly double the number of new hires this year from previous forecasts, due in part to growth in its global and business consulting services.

IBM said it would take on 18,800 new employees globally in 2004, an increase of 8,800 workers from its previous forecast of 10,000 for this year, excluding acquisitions.

"We do see growth, unlike some of our competition," IBM spokesman John Bukovinsky said.

IBM said it hired 10,000 people in the first six months of this year and another 3,000 in July. It expects to add an additional 5,800 people by the end of the year.

As a result of the hiring, IBM expects to end the year with more than 330,000 employees worldwide, the largest number of since 1991 when IBM finished the year with more than 344,000 workers. In the mid 80s IBM employed more 400,000 people.

Bukovinsky said most of the hiring is a result of growth in global services and business consulting services. Specifically, Linux services, consulting and development, grid computing and business transformation services.

One-third of the hiring will be from universities while the rest will be experienced professionals.

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