Atmel sells North Tyneside equipment and building
Semiconductor manufacture on Tyneside is set to end early next year following the $124million sale by Atmel of the North Tyneside fab originally built by Siemens. The company has concluded deals with TSMC and Highbridge Business Park to dispose of 8in fabrication equipment and land and buildings respectively.
“The sale of our North Tyneside facility is a major step forward in transitioning Atmel to a ‘fab lite’ manufacturing model,” said Steven Laub, Atmel’s president and ceo.
Atmel says it will continue to manufacture products at North Tyneside into the first quarter of 2008, but production will gradually be redeployed to Atmel facilities in Colorado and Rousset. The company will also use foundries.
The North Tyneside fab has had a chequered history. Originally built by Siemens and opened in 1997, the fab was mothballed shortly thereafter as the company moved memory production to Dresden. Atmel took over the facility in 2000, backed by a £28million grant from the Government, and announced ambitious plans.
