Analysis
Prime Minister visits Zetex
Tony Blair has visited Zetex Semiconductor’s Oldham Headquarters during a fact-finding trip to the North West of England. He was accompanied on a one hour tour of the Zetex Technology Park by Zetex Chief Executive Officer Hans Rohrer.
“WDuring a ‘hands-on’ tour of the Zetex facilities, Mr Blair followed the complete manufacturing process, from initial design concept, through to silicon chip manufacture and final test. After chatting to the workforce on the shop floor, Mr Blair declared Zetex to be a prime example of a company that is helping to shape the future of the UK’s high-tech sector.
Zetex Semiconductors produces around 1 billion electronic components annually and operates globally. The company has offices, manufacturing facilities and design centres located throughout Asia, Europe and USA. It employs a workforce of 650, of which 450 are based in Oldham. Zetex reported a turnover of £67.17 million for 2006.