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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Nexperia: Keep tech plant in Chinese hands, say staff | Nexperia: Keep tech plant in Chinese hands, say staff |
| (4 months later) | |
| Nexperia staff met MPs to argue their case on Wednesday | Nexperia staff met MPs to argue their case on Wednesday |
| Staff from the UK's largest chip plant have urged ministers to allow the facility to stay in the hands of its Chinese owners. | Staff from the UK's largest chip plant have urged ministers to allow the facility to stay in the hands of its Chinese owners. |
| Nexperia was ordered by UK ministers to sell its 86% stake in the Newport site, due to national security concerns. | Nexperia was ordered by UK ministers to sell its 86% stake in the Newport site, due to national security concerns. |
| About a dozen members of the Nexperia Newport Staff Association, which says it is "in disbelief", travelled to Westminster to put their case to MPs. | About a dozen members of the Nexperia Newport Staff Association, which says it is "in disbelief", travelled to Westminster to put their case to MPs. |
| The UK government said it wanted to ensure jobs were protected. | The UK government said it wanted to ensure jobs were protected. |
| Newport Wafer Fab was acquired by Dutch-based technology company Nexperia, a subsidiary of Shanghai listed Wingtech, in July 2021. | Newport Wafer Fab was acquired by Dutch-based technology company Nexperia, a subsidiary of Shanghai listed Wingtech, in July 2021. |
| Semiconductors, or chips, made at the factory are used in millions of electronic products, from smartphones to household equipment and cars. | Semiconductors, or chips, made at the factory are used in millions of electronic products, from smartphones to household equipment and cars. |
| The plant specialises in making semiconductors that move power around a device. | The plant specialises in making semiconductors that move power around a device. |
| Local MP says Chinese firm should keep chip plant | Local MP says Chinese firm should keep chip plant |
| UK orders Chinese firm to sell Welsh tech plant | UK orders Chinese firm to sell Welsh tech plant |
| A UK government review found the takeover created two risks to national security - that it could "undermine UK capabilities" in producing compound semiconductors, and could "facilitate access to technological expertise and know-how". | A UK government review found the takeover created two risks to national security - that it could "undermine UK capabilities" in producing compound semiconductors, and could "facilitate access to technological expertise and know-how". |
| The firm said it was "shocked" by the ruling and would appeal against it. | The firm said it was "shocked" by the ruling and would appeal against it. |
| On Wednesday, staff association member and principal engineer Denis Knight, from Newport, told BBC Wales: "No-one expected this decision. | On Wednesday, staff association member and principal engineer Denis Knight, from Newport, told BBC Wales: "No-one expected this decision. |
| "People are frustrated, they are angry, they do feel insulted: why would anybody think that anyone would put the security of this country at risk." | "People are frustrated, they are angry, they do feel insulted: why would anybody think that anyone would put the security of this country at risk." |
| Mr Knight wants UK Business Secretary Grant Shapps to visit the site and speak to staff. | Mr Knight wants UK Business Secretary Grant Shapps to visit the site and speak to staff. |
| The UK government has ordered Nexpera to sell 86% of its stake in the plant | The UK government has ordered Nexpera to sell 86% of its stake in the plant |
| The group took a letter with them that has been sent to Mr Shapps from the staff association. | The group took a letter with them that has been sent to Mr Shapps from the staff association. |
| It said: "We are in disbelief that you have decided to order Nexperia to sell their semiconductor factory in Newport." | It said: "We are in disbelief that you have decided to order Nexperia to sell their semiconductor factory in Newport." |
| "You must see sense and protect our jobs by allowing Nexperia to keep their Newport factory. " | "You must see sense and protect our jobs by allowing Nexperia to keep their Newport factory. " |
| Another of those in attendance was team leader Gaynor Clark, also from Newport. | Another of those in attendance was team leader Gaynor Clark, also from Newport. |
| "We want our jobs, we need our jobs, we've got families to support," she said. | "We want our jobs, we need our jobs, we've got families to support," she said. |
| 'Not privy to information' | 'Not privy to information' |
| Ms Clark wants Nexperia to stay. | Ms Clark wants Nexperia to stay. |
| "They're a good company to work for, they've given us pay rises, they're putting money into building us new machines," she said. | "They're a good company to work for, they've given us pay rises, they're putting money into building us new machines," she said. |
| She fears what would happen if another company were to takeover. | She fears what would happen if another company were to takeover. |
| "There's no future without them [Nexperia], every time we have a small company they go under." | "There's no future without them [Nexperia], every time we have a small company they go under." |
| The delegation was hosted by Newport West Labour MP Ruth Jones, who said she would be seeking a meeting with the business secretary as soon as possible. | The delegation was hosted by Newport West Labour MP Ruth Jones, who said she would be seeking a meeting with the business secretary as soon as possible. |
| Mr Shapps acknowledged in the Commons, on Monday, that it was a "concerning time for 500 or so employees" at the plant. | Mr Shapps acknowledged in the Commons, on Monday, that it was a "concerning time for 500 or so employees" at the plant. |
| But, answering a question from Ms Jones, he said that she was "not privy to the information that I have had to weigh up in order to come to this national security decision". | But, answering a question from Ms Jones, he said that she was "not privy to the information that I have had to weigh up in order to come to this national security decision". |
| "Nor can I am afraid accede to her request to publish that information," he added. | "Nor can I am afraid accede to her request to publish that information," he added. |
| The UK government said it would be inappropriate for the business secretary to meet Nexperia while the period for legal challenge remains open. | The UK government said it would be inappropriate for the business secretary to meet Nexperia while the period for legal challenge remains open. |
| A UK government spokesman said: "Following a detailed national security assessment, the business secretary decided to issue a Final Order requiring Nexperia to sell at least 86% of Newport Wafer Fab to mitigate potential national security risks. | A UK government spokesman said: "Following a detailed national security assessment, the business secretary decided to issue a Final Order requiring Nexperia to sell at least 86% of Newport Wafer Fab to mitigate potential national security risks. |
| "We want to make sure that jobs are protected. We will be working with Nexperia to ensure that is the case." | "We want to make sure that jobs are protected. We will be working with Nexperia to ensure that is the case." |
| The Welsh government said it would work with the company to ensure jobs at the site were protected. | The Welsh government said it would work with the company to ensure jobs at the site were protected. |
| Related Topics | Related Topics |
| Wales | |
| Newport | Newport |