Foxconn Electronics Inc., a Taiwanese producer of electronic connectors, computer casings and cable assemblies, is closing a mobile phone parts plant in Hollola, Finland, cutting 600 jobs.
The firm's Finnish offshoot, Foxconn Oy, is cutting its manufacturing capacity in half because of a change in focus, according to Foxconn Oy Executive Vice President Timo Harju.
``Our focus in the future will be rather on higher-end mobile phone programs. That means the production of low volumes of parts,'' he said.
Higher-value components will be made at the company's newer, larger plant in Lahti, Finland, a few miles away from Hollola.
Today, Foxconn Oy employs 1,200, including 850 permanent employees. The Hollola plant will close by the end of the year. The layoff includes the loss of 35 jobs at Foxconn's tooling unit, also in Hollola.
Middle and low-end market work in Europe in the future will be concentrated at two Foxconn plants in Pecs and Komarum, Hungary.
Foxconn Oy's injection molding has been concentrated at the Lahti facility, whereas the Hollola plant has handled more painting and other decorative work.
Foxconn Oy officials estimate the company will achieve 2005 sales of between 100 million euros ($123 million) and 120 million euros ($148 million).
