Layoffs at Sony – 200 to leave

Sony is not selling as many mobile phone as the company wants, and is therefore forced to layoff employees working at the company’s smartphone business in Lund, Sweden.

“Today we have announced a notice of 200 positions. I see it as they are at risk of being laid off, but hope there will be fewer. The goal is for all things to be negotiated and that the individuals are informed by March 2019”, said Stefan Andersson, location manager at Sony’s facility in Lund, to the Swedish local newspaper HD-Sydsvenskan on November 20th. Last fiscal year, Sony sold 13.5 million phones. The forecast for this year's telephone sales is approximately 7 million. “That is why there is a global 50 percent cost reduction for two financial years, linked to smartphones. It’s a combination of superfluity, efficiency and integration with Sony's other business”, said Stefan Andersson. In addition to the 200 employees, a number of consultants will also be affected by the cut.

MagnaChip Semiconductor says that certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries have entered into a definitive agreement to sell the company's Foundry Services Group and the factory in Cheongju (Fab 4), the larger of the company's two 8" manufacturing facilities.

Against the backdrop of the current situation related to the spread of COVID-19 and the resulting restrictions in private and business lives, Singulus Technologies is implementing short-time work at two of its German sites.

Kyocera Corporation has entered into a share transfer agreement with NEC Corporation on March 25, 2020 to acquire all of NEC’s shares in Showa Optronics Co., Ltd., an optical components manufacturer.

The economic and social effects caused by COVID-19 are currently creating supply chain disruption and uncertainty around future demand.

Due to a Movement Control Order announced by the Malaysian government, Renesas three production sites located in the country temporarily halted productions from March 18, 2020.

TTI, Inc. says it remains open following the guidelines mandated by local and federal governments during the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, with precautions in place to safeguard employees’ health.

Nokia says it has completed its acquisition of U.S.-based supplier of silicon photonics technology, Elenion Technologies.

On March 24, 2020, Nexperia announced that CEO Frans Scheper has decided to take early retirement and will step down as Nexperia CEO and Management Board Member per March 25, 2020.

Ohio-based Intellitronix Corporation, a subsidiary of US Lighting Group, has been invited by the Ford Motor Company to submit a proposal to design and manufacture an automotive electronics component for one of the automaker’s upcoming vehicles.

NEXT Biometrics has received an additional order for UIDAI and STQC certified fingerprint biometric readers in India valued at USD 360,000. The customer has provided a 20% upfront payment and the readers have been delivered to the customer.

Because of the global corona pandemic, Elmos Semiconductor AG is planning to introduce short-time work of up to 50%.

paragon is set to take immediate action in response to moves by automotive manufacturers closing down their plants. The company is now reducing production at its automotive manufacturing sites in Germany to a minimum for the time being.