Monday, October 17, 2011

ON Semiconductor Shuts Japanese Factory

Phoenix-based ON Semiconductor said over the weekend that it is planning to close one of its factories in Japan. The semiconductor maker said it plans to close its Aizu, Japan wafer manufacturing facility by the end of June 2012. The firm said the move is part of a strategy to "streamline operations." ON Semiconductor said the closue will result in the elimination of 197 full time and 94 contract jobs currently at the location. ON Semiconductor said it would take charges of $20 to $25M for the move in the fourth quarter of 2011, but expects to save around $8M per quarter from the closure. ON had originally acquired the fab from Motorola in 1999, when the firm spun out of Motorola.