(Host) IBM’s Essex Junction plant has landed a multi-year contract to make computer chips for a California company. IBM laid off 500 employees last month because of a worldwide slump in the semi-conductor business.
Company spokesman Jeff Couture says the contract with the Intersil Corporation brings significant work to the plant, but not new jobs.
(Couture) “There’s really no direct impact to jobs from this announcement. However, the more work we bring in the more secure our business is and the more opportunity to keep jobs or certainly expand jobs in the future. It will provide significant manufacturing work for the Vermont plant. And it is a key win for the Vermont facility’s strategy to attract new foundry manufacturing customers.”
(Host) Governor Jim Douglas says the contract is great news for the state. The governor says Intersil is a global leader in high performance semi-conductors. He says the partnership with IBM should lead to more work for the IBM Essex Junction plant.