rain’s Chicago Business
CHICAGO-Motorola Inc. has quietly exited the business of making programmable computer chips used in consumer electronics and other products.
Late last week, a spokeswoman for Motorola’s semiconductor components group, based in Phoenix, Ariz., confirmed the move, saying it is part of a restructuring of the company’s semiconductor business.
Motorola entered the field of programmable computer chips six years ago through an alliance with Manchester, England-based Pilkington Microelectronics Ltd. Motorola purchased the company last year but hasn’t been able to gain a dominant position in the $2.2-billion programmable semiconductor niche. The spokeswoman said the 75 workers employed at the unit will be reassigned to other areas of the company.
