Because of a change in direction of the company. People often have skills and ambitions that relate to specific tasks. If the company no longer wants to do those tasks, those people can become redundant.
People are usually flexible enough to switch directions. I wonder how many of those laid off employees would have been happy to do so given the chance?
I would assume such things were considered. You should also wonder how many people weren't fired because they did switch directions. Don't assume you have the entire story.
