Intel 'ramps down' operations in RP
By Erwin Oliva
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 14:22:00 04/03/2008
MANILA, Philippines--Intel Technology Philippines Inc. has met with employees Wednesday to announce the "ramping down" of its operations at the assembly and test facility in the Gateway Business Park in General Trias, Cavite.
This was confirmed by a spokesperson, who denied rumors that the 10-year-old manufacturing facility is being closed down.
"We had a forum yesterday with the employees to explain to them what's happening. The CPU division is being ramped down. As of today, we're studying our options," Teresa Pacis, external communications manager of the corporate affairs of Intel Technology Philippines, told INQUIRER.net in a telephone interview.
Pacis also reiterated that Intel has "made no decisions" to close down the operations in Cavite, and "is currently exploring multiple options."
"In an effort to keep employees informed, Intel has updated its employees that significant investments would be required to ensure the long-term viability of its factory building in Cavite," Pacis said in a separate e-mail response to questions by INQUIRER.net.
Two industry sources have said that Intel has announced to employees that it was "winding down" operations this year.
Asked to comment about it, Pacis said the CPU division is being ramped down. "But management is studying what ramping down means," she said. "We really don't want rumors to get out of hand."
Pacis said Intel employs close to 3,000 employees in Cavite.
The Cavite operations currently tests and assembles central processing units and chipsets.
Last year, Intel agreed to enter into a flash memory join venture with STMicroelectronics, now known as Numonyx. It recently completed the merger of both companies.
Previously, Intel manufacturing executives in the Philippines said the joint venture had no effect on the local operations of the chipmaker.
Intel closed down its Makati plant several years ago to consolidate the assembly and test facility in Cavite.
The 10-year-old Cavite plant is among the sites worldwide that handling the flash memory product of Intel prior to the joint venture.
Numonyx was formed with the convergence of Intel's former flash memory division and Geneva-based STMicroelectronics.
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