Fairchild Semiconductor International Inc. (South Portland, ME) reported that it will close its Mountain Top semiconductor plant for two weeks to avoid producing too much inventory during period of reduced demand, idling approximately 330 workers. The shutdown affects everyone at the plant and will begin mid-November. Preventative maintenance will be done during the downtime.
Fairchild is conducting temporary shutdowns across the board for its approximately 2,000 workers in the United States. Globally, Fairchild employs nearly 8,500 and manufactures semiconductors for a variety of applications. In February, Fairchild announced a major investment of $143 million and the addition of 320 jobs over the next four years. It's not clear what effect, if any, the temporary shutdown has on that initiative. Production levels would be reduced in the fourth quarter, but the company said it expected to book orders to be delivered to customers next year.
