X-FAB Silicon Foundries Group,
the leading analog/mixed-signal foundry and expert in "More than Moore"
technologies, and Swindon-based Plus Semi have agreed on the sale of X-FAB's
wafer fabrication plant in Plymouth, UK, to Plus Semi. The agreement to transfer
ownership of X-FAB UK to Plus Semi has been signed by both parties, closing
is expected by the end of 2009. A technology license agreement ensures the continuation
of the existing operation. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
Both companies benefit from this step. X-FAB in a move to strategically align
its facilities had opted to either close or sell the Plymouth facility representing
a share of less than five percent of X-FAB's total capacity. In collaboration
with Plus Semi, it was possible to find a solution that enables the plant in
Plymouth to continue operation under new ownership. Plus Semi, in turn, is able
to expand its business into analogue product sales with a wafer fab that represents
an ideal fit, technologically and capacity-wise.
Hans-Jürgen Straub, CEO of X-FAB Group, said: "We are glad to have
reached a solution that continues operation and maintains jobs at the site in
Plymouth, outside the X-FAB organization. The sale is an important milestone
for optimizing the X-FAB Group's capacities."
Michael LeGoff, Plus Semi Managing Director commented: "This has been
the culmination of an enormous effort from all concerned to bring these two
former Plessey businesses, Plymouth and Swindon, together again. We have retained
our key engineering competence within a design and technology centre in Swindon
with approximately 20 employees. Together with the 150 people we will employ
at the Plymouth facility we have an exciting opportunity to find significant
growth in semiconductor design and manufacture in the lucrative analog/mixed-signal
semiconductor markets."