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800 jobs go at computer chip plant
7:08pm Wednesday 15th October 2008
The loss of about 800 manufacturing jobs in Scotland at a US-owned computer chip firm has been described as "devastating".
Local MSP Andy Kerr urged the Scottish Government to help find new jobs for axed workers at Freescale Semiconductor in East Kilbride, near Glasgow.
The Government said the move by the company was "disappointing".
Freescale confirmed it was to stop manufacturing at its East Kilbride plant which employs about 1,000 people.
It started looking for a buyer for the plant in September last year and there had been hopes it could be sold as a going concern.
But in June the company announced plans for a proposed closure, and the firm now says the plant will shut in the spring.
The company said previously that technology advances had resulted in falling customer demand for the products produced in East Kilbride.
Freescale's factory was established in the town by Motorola in 1969 to design, manufacture, test and package embedded microchips for use in mobile phones and car engines.
Andy Kerr, Labour MSP for East Kilbride, said: "This is devastating but not unexpected.
"It is a huge blow to East Kilbride and the local economy."
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Andy Kerr has urged Scottish Government to help find new jobs for axed workers
Freescale's factory was established in East Kilbride in 1969 by Motorola
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