AROUND 800 jobs are to go as a US-owned computer chip firm axes its factory in South Lanarkshire.
AROUND 800 jobs are to go as a US-owned computer chip firm axes its factory in South Lanarkshire.
Freescale had been looking for a buyer for the East Kilbride plant since September last year.
It was hoped the factory could be sold as a going concern but in June the company announced plans for a proposed closure.
Freescale now says the former Motorola plant will shut in spring 2009.
A spokesman said: "Freescale Semiconductor has concluded collective consultation with employees on strategic options for the East Kilbride plant.
"All possibilities for the factory have now been fully explored and the decision has been reached to cease manufacturing.
"The company will enter into individual consultations with employees."
The closure confirmation comes four months after the Evening Times revealed the plant was to be axed next year after Freescale failed to find a buyer for the 25-acre site, despite a global search.
The company said previously that technology advances had led to a fall in demand for products made in East Kilbride.
Freescale's factory was established by Motorola in 1969 to design, manufacture, test and package embedded microchips for mobile phones and car engines.
In June, First Minister Alex Salmond pledged government support for those facing redundancy after it emerged the plant was facing closure.
Mr Salmond said the closure would be a "very severe blow".
The microchip giant was acquired by a consortium of venture capitalists for $17.6bn (£10bn) in 2006.
It blames the closure on technological change, citing a sector-wide move to cheaper microchips for increasingly sophisticated car dashboard displays.
It added that products from East Kilbride were going into old vehicle models.
It's understood some of the employees are attempting to challenge the legality of the company's reduced redundancy terms amid allegations of bullying by management.
Andy Kerr, Labour MSP for East Kilbride, said of the closure: "Like many of the workforce I view this as an inevitability.
"While there is huge disappointment, there is also a feeling of sad expectation around it.
"The workers are continuing their legal action regarding the revised redundancy arrangements and I support them."
He said he had spoken to Finance Secretary John Swinney.
"I expect action for continued employment, which has proven successful in previous big closures, will be immediately in play," he added.
