NEC to pull down Scotland plant seen as symbol of Silicon Glen

November 18, 2004 – NEC is going to dismantle its mothballed Livingston, Scotland, semiconductor plant, once seen as a symbol of ”Silicon Glen,” according to Financial Times Information. Efforts to find an industry buyer have failed and the company believes that clearing the 127-acre site will make it more attractive to other developers.

NEC put the site up for sale 18 months ago in the attempt to identify a third-party semiconductor producer who would be interested in purchasing the site, but the effort met with no success.

The plant, which closed in March 2002 amid slumping demand for 200mm wafers, was one of Silicon Glen’s first, and received more than 1.1 billion pounds (US$2 billion) worth of investment following its opening in 1981. The facility grew to become one of the largest in Scotland at more than 825,000 sq. ft. and at its peak employed 1600.

NEC said the announcement will not affect operations at the separate site of NEC Computers in Livingston.

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