News

Welsh Development Agency - Californian company, International Rectifier, to expand production at Newport, Wales

American electronics giant International Rectifier has announced a $ 40 million expansion of its Newport semi-conductor plant in a move which will create almost 120 hi-tech jobs.

IR's chief executive officer Alex Lidow and First Minister Rhodri Morgan announced the investment strategy at the Newport facility on Friday.

The investment will centre on a 200mm wafer fabrication facility,which will double existing production levels. The technology is used to produce energy saving in a wide range of applications.

IR acquired the Newport facility in 2002 and has since invested more than $66 million to expand the plant’s 150-millimeter production capacities.

The current workforce at Newport is almost 400.