ST closes three sites
Having spun out its flash memory interests into a joint venture with Intel, STMicroelectronics has decided to close two fabs in the US and a back end site in Morocco. The move is said to ‘optimise asset utilisation and enhance performance’.
Products currently made at the US fabs – a 6in line in Texas and an 8in line in Arizona – will be requalified at other ST fabs. According to ST president and ceo Carlo Bozotti (pictured): “Growing revenue is important, but we’re also committed to improving our cost structure by reducing the number of our manufacturing sites and, as a result, trimming excess capacity and lowering manufacturing overhead.”
ST has largely transitioned to 8in lines and the Carrolton fab in Texas is one of the company’s last 6in lines. Although an 8in fab, the Phoenix facility in Arizona is said to be producing ‘mature technology’ and would, effectively, be too expensive to upgrade.
