AUSTIN, Texas-Motorola Inc. said it cut 200 jobs in its semiconductor division as part of its effort to cut costs and move back to profitability.
“It was a tough day,” said Amy Halm, spokesperson for Motorola, explaining that the layoffs affected workers in Austin, Phoenix and Chicago.
The company had indicated in its second-quarter earnings call that it would downsize in response to market challenges.
She said the workers will receive severance and assistance in their job searches.
In addition, another chip company, Intersil Corp., said it is cutting 8 percent of its staff, or about 130 jobs, to meet operating targets. The cuts are in addition to the 300 employees in its wireless unit who went to work for GlobespanVirata. Intersil said it completed the sale of its wireless networking business to GlobespanVirata, under the $364 million deal it announced in July.