Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Intel To Close Hillsboro Fab

Microprocessor giant Intel is shutting down its 200mm wafer fabrication facility in Hillsboro, Oregon, as part of a major move by the firm to consolidate its operations. Intel said late Wednesday that it will close four manufacturing and test plants, and could lose as many as 6,000 of the firm's employees worldwide. Intel said it would close its "older" 200mm wafer fabrication facility in Hillsboro, along with shutdown of two plans in Penang, Malaysia, one in Cavite, Phillippines, and halting of wafer production operatoins at a facility in Santa Clara, California. Intel did not detail how many employees in Oregon specifically would be affected by the move, although the firm did say some of the employees affected by the cuts would be offered positions at other facilities. Intel said the actions will take place between now and the end of 2009.