Taiwan Semiconductor, United Microelectronics Hire (Update1)
By Alan Patterson
quote.bloomberg.com
Hsinchu, Taiwan, June 7 (Bloomberg) -- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and United Microelectronics Corp., the world's biggest makers of chips for other companies, said they will add a total of 6,500 jobs as part of their expansion plans this year.
Taiwan Semiconductor will add 3,500 employees, or a fifth of its workforce, after hiring 520 people last year, spokesman J.H. Tzeng said in an e-mail. United Microelectronics will increase its staff by a third, hiring 3,000 workers, said Jessie Kuan, a member of the company's human resources department.
The companies are preparing to meet an expected increase in orders from other chipmakers that have yet to invest in technology that helps cut production costs. Customers such as Motorola Inc. and Texas Instruments Inc. shelved plans to build multibillion dollar plants after reporting losses last year.
``Taiwan Semiconductor and United Microelectronics are working on the assumption that 2003 will be better than 2002,'' said Ross Teverson, who counts shares in both companies among the $2 billion he helps manage for Standard Life Investments. ``It seems reasonable.'' |
