Speculation Mounts On NXP's Southampton Site

NXP have agreed to sell the TV and Set-Top Box product lines of the home business unit to Trident Microsystems, in return for acquiring a 60% stake in Trident.

This deal between NXP and Trident finalises on Monday February 8^th.  The speculation centres on the fate of 70 employees who, it is said, will be told on Monday that their jobs are under threat.

There is also speculation that other employees will be told that their jobs will be cut over the coming year. However a small Set-Top-Box design team is said to be staying on.

Trident's director of corporate finance and investor relations, John Swenson, told me: "We're purchasing the TV and Set-Top-Box product lines. As to site specific plans we have nothing to disclose at this time."

Asked if it was true that employees at the site would be laid off, Swenson replied: "Any communication with employees is not being commented on at this time."

So I asked if all the jobs at the Southampton site were safe, and Swenson replied: "No comment."

After several calls to the Southampton office, asking about the prospect of a jobs lay-off announcement being made on Monday, I was told by the telephone receptionist: "I have nothing to say at this moment."

A later call to Southampton was picked up by a man who, after I had asked about the possibility of lay-offs, replied: "I can't comment".

Can anyone else comment ? I asked.

"There's no one in the office," he replied.

A call to NXP asking about the situation had not had a response at the time of writing. But I hope for an update tomorrow (Friday Feb 5^th).