GPS to be sold

09/01/1997

GPS to be sold

GEC Plessey Semiconductors (GPS), a subsidiary of the UK`s General Electric Co. (GEC), and the last of Britain`s original IC manufacturers, has been put up for sale. Formed in 1990 by a merger of semiconductor companies Ferranti, Marconi, and Plessey, GPS has fabs in Swindon, Roborough, Oldham, and Lincoln. Roborough, its biggest facility, has 0.5-micron digital CMOS capability and is introducing 0.35-micron technology. GPS`s 1996 sales totals were down from those in 1995; this year, it had sales of about $350 million through March 31. Lack of government support and GEC`s limited investment in its semiconductor business have been cited as factors in GPS`s struggle to compete with other major European semiconductor companies. Possible buyers include Rockwell, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., LG Semicon Co. Ltd., and Hyundai Electronics Industries Co. Inc.