Wiltshire electronics factory to close with loss of 100 jobs
A multinational electronics company has confirmed it is to close a factory in Wiltshire with the loss of 100 jobs.
Speculation has been growing around the future of Fabrinet’s factory in Calne for some time.
But now the company has confirmed that it is to close the factory on Port Marsh Industrial Estate in March.
The production base was opened more than 45 years ago and the news will be a blow to the local community.
A Fabrinet spokesperson confirmed the news to the local media,
The spokesperson said: “Following a review of Fabrinet’s global manufacturing capacity, including a review of its operations in Calne, it has been decided to consolidate and streamline manufacturing operations in its factories, and to close the Calne facility over several months.
“Approximately 100 jobs at the Calne facility will be impacted by this consolidation. As part of the redundancy program, the company can confirm it will do everything possible to assist the affected employees through the transition and the final closure of the Calne operations, which presently is planned by the end of March.”
The US owned firm is a leading provider of advanced optical packaging and precision optical and electronics to manufacturers. It has manufacturing centres in Thailand, the US, China Israel and the UK.
It is due to release its results for the second quarter of the financial year on Monday.
A number of employees at the factory have also confirmed the news on social media and added that they are looking for new jobs.
One post on LinkedIn said: “Unfortunately the news is true. Fabrinet UK will cease trading on 31st March this year. It has been a fun ride but all good things come to an end.
“I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to our superb customers and outstanding colleagues with whom I have shared the last three and a half years.”
In the year ending June 2021, the UK arm of the business announced losses of £800,000. Sales were affected by the pandemic and fell from £16.7m to just under £14m.
