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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Factory sale will cost 600 jobs | Factory sale will cost 600 jobs |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| More than 600 jobs are to go on Tyneside with the closure of an American-owned microchip plant. | |
| Atmel is to sell its factory at Silverlink, North Tyneside, to a business park developer, with equipment going in a separate deal to Taiwan. | Atmel is to sell its factory at Silverlink, North Tyneside, to a business park developer, with equipment going in a separate deal to Taiwan. |
| The company, which was promised almost £28m in government relocation grants, said in 2006 that the plant was likely to go because of planned restructuring. | The company, which was promised almost £28m in government relocation grants, said in 2006 that the plant was likely to go because of planned restructuring. |
| The firm is to be asked to return £19.9m in grants already paid. | The firm is to be asked to return £19.9m in grants already paid. |
| I believe the workers of this plant deserved more from a company that has put shareholders before the loyalty they owe their workforce North Tyneside mayor John Harrison | I believe the workers of this plant deserved more from a company that has put shareholders before the loyalty they owe their workforce North Tyneside mayor John Harrison |
| Atmel, one of North Tyneside's largest employers, took over the former Siemens electronics plant, which itself closed less than a year after it opened in 1997. | |
| The factory is expected to cease production in the spring of 2008. | |
| Atmel's North Tyneside managing director, Craig McInnes, said: "This has been a difficult decision to take, and is no reflection on the highly-valued work performed by our employees, here in Tyneside. | Atmel's North Tyneside managing director, Craig McInnes, said: "This has been a difficult decision to take, and is no reflection on the highly-valued work performed by our employees, here in Tyneside. |
| "We are committed to treating employees with respect and helping ease the transition for employees at the North Tyneside facility as production is concluded." | "We are committed to treating employees with respect and helping ease the transition for employees at the North Tyneside facility as production is concluded." |
| The decision was strongly criticised by the elected mayor of North Tyneside John Harrison. | The decision was strongly criticised by the elected mayor of North Tyneside John Harrison. |
| He said: "I am disappointed at the behaviour of Atmel, who from California, took the decision to close this plant thousands of miles away. | |
| "I believe the workers of this plant deserved more from a company that has put shareholders before the loyalty they owe their workforce." | "I believe the workers of this plant deserved more from a company that has put shareholders before the loyalty they owe their workforce." |
| 'Devastating blow' | |
| A spokesman for the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (formerly the DTI) said it would seek to recoup cash paid to the company in grants. | A spokesman for the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (formerly the DTI) said it would seek to recoup cash paid to the company in grants. |
| He said: "We will be writing to the company asking that they repay £19.9m already paid to them out of a promised package of £27.9m" | |
| Alan Clarke, chief executive of regeneration agency One NorthEast, said: "Today's announcement is very disappointing for the workers and the region. | Alan Clarke, chief executive of regeneration agency One NorthEast, said: "Today's announcement is very disappointing for the workers and the region. |
| "We have met with Atmel US senior executives and potential purchasers over many months to reiterate One NorthEast's support for the business going forward. | "We have met with Atmel US senior executives and potential purchasers over many months to reiterate One NorthEast's support for the business going forward. |
| "But ultimately, the sale of Atmel was a commercial decision taken by the company. | "But ultimately, the sale of Atmel was a commercial decision taken by the company. |
| "We will be seeking assurances from the company regarding the new owners' intentions for the site." | "We will be seeking assurances from the company regarding the new owners' intentions for the site." |
| Davy Hall, regional official of the Unite union, added: "This is a devastating blow for the region and for British manufacturing. | |
| "These are high-quality jobs which are now disappearing." | "These are high-quality jobs which are now disappearing." |