April 5, 2001 — Chip-related companies around the country are continuing to cut jobs as they search for ways to recover from a downturn in the market.

The latest casualties of the current slowdown include Orlando microchip maker Cirent Semiconductor, which late Tuesday slashed 263 jobs and implemented a hiring freeze, and Boise-based cleanroom equipment manufacturer SCP Global Technologies, which laid off 150 workers, according to published reports.

The cuts are Cirent represent about 15 percent of the company’s workforce, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The paper also reported Agere, Cirent’s parent company, is also considering a reduction in force. Other cost cutting measures include the closing of the older of its two cleanroom facilities and consolidating all chipmaking in its newer plant.

SCP, which also laid off 73 temporary workers in March, said the latest round of cuts are due in large part to a reduction of orders, according to the Associated Press.

“SCP has implemented a number of initiatives to streamline our operations, reduce costs and increase efficiencies,” Mark Petereson, president of SCP told the AP on Wednesday. “Unfortunately, these cost-reduction efforts have not produced enough savings to meet business requirements during the next three to four quarters of tough economic times.”

Last week, PRI Automation and Varian Semiconductor cut nearly 500 jobs.