Intel registered in unexpected 104 per cent productivity boost last year - in its efforts to reduce its workforce.

According to the company's most recent SEC filing, noted by Reuters, it expected to lay off 4500 people during 2002.

In fact, the chip giant rid itself of 4700 workers.

The filing reveals that Intel ended 2001 with 83,400 employees. By the end of 2002, that figure had fallen to 78,700. ®