Epitaxial wafer foundry IQE is to cut a further 60 jobs from its staffing, bringing the total to 250. The majority of the redundancies will be at IQE (Europe). The company reports that sales revenues for Q4 2002 are likely to be approximately 5% below the GBP5.6mn reported in the previous quarter.

Epitaxial wafer foundry IQE is to cut a further 60 jobs from its staffing,
bringing the total to 250. The majority of the redundancies will be at IQE
(Europe). The company reports that sales revenues for Q4 2002 are likely to
be approximately 5% below the GBP5.6mn reported in the previous quarter. The
company blames adverse movements in exchange rates, with the majority of its
sales in dollars. In addition, IQE (Europe) has been particularly badly hit
as the fibreoptic components market continues to decline. Also, R&D budgets
have come under even more severe pressure.
Demand has improved for wireless related products at IQEs US subsidiary.
IQEs Silicon Compounds and Wafer Technology divisions have improved
expectations for future business. Diversification away from fibre
communications means that overall wafer volumes are expected to improve
throughout 2003 while revenues will remain relatively flat from a weak
dollar exchange rate and strong price reductions.

Power semiconductor supplier IXYS has reorganised its Directed Energy
subsidiary into two divisions. The second division has been named IXYS RF.
DEI remains as a wholly owned subsidiary and a division of IXYS, focusing on
high-speed, pulsed-power instruments and systems for OEM, laboratory and
manufacturing applications.
RF power applications will be the responsibility of IXYS RF. This new
division is chartered with developing a new generation of devices including
RF MOSFETs, RF driver ICs, GaAs devices, RF modules and ICs. Target markets
include medical imaging, RF plasma generators, cable TV, TV broadcast and
professional radio service communications.