Jan. 20, 2003 – South Portland, ME – An estimated 100 employees will lose their jobs as Fairchild Semiconductor invests $15 million to shift computer chip production to 200mm silicon wafers, company officials said.

Spending for the upgrade to the company’s 200mm wafer fab at its Mountain Top plant in Pennsylvania will begin almost immediately, said Roger Bishop, executive director of human resources.

The layoffs and the closing of an older 150mm wafer facility at the plant will occur during the first and second quarters of 2003, said Fran Harrison, director of corporate communications and government relations.

About 230 people work at the 150mm facility, reported the Knight Ridder Tribune. Some will be transferred to the expanded 200mm wafer plant, but “it’s very likely that more than 100 employees at the 150mm fab are going to lose their jobs,” Harrison said.

The projected layoffs represent at least 20% of the company’s current work force of almost 500.