National Semiconductor Plans to Restructure, Spin Off Scotland Wafer Operations

National Semiconductor announced plans to consolidate and spin off its wafer manufacturing operations in Greenock, Scotland. The Greenock facility currently has two manufacturing lines. Under the restructuring plan, National Semiconductor will consolidate all of Greenock's manufacturing operations into one fab. In addition, National will reduce total employment from 1,000 people to 400 people.

This announcement comes less than 24 hours after theWall Street Journal reported that several former female Greenock employees have experienced medical problems such as cancer, birth defects, and multiple sclerosis. In the article, National Semiconductors' former employees say that for years, "they were barraged with toxic chemicals that spilled, leaked, and sometimes exploded from chip-making equipment." According to these employees, this exposure to toxic chemicals led to their medical problems.

National Semiconductor says that the company has never exposed our employees to chemicals above the legal limits. National also says that market issues lead to the restructuring and spin off plans.