November 4, 2008 -- CommScope, Inc. will discontinue operations in the Stratford, England area and consolidate work into existing manufacturing facilities, as part of previously announced plans to optimize its global manufacturing network.
According to a press release, the decision to discontinue Microwave antenna operations in Stratford, Bidford and Long Marston and close the three facilities by year-end 2009 follows completion of the collective employee consultation period. An undetermined number of positions will be added in Goa, India; Brno, Czech Republic and Suzhou, China to accommodate work shifted from England into those Andrew Antenna, Cable and Cabinet group segment facilities.
Separately, CommScope is proceeding with the previously announced relocation of base station antenna production from Slatina, Brno, Czech Republic to Andrew's Suzhou, China facility by year-end 2008, and the relocation by early 2009 of connector assembly, accessories and cable assembly operations to other Andrew locations or to vendors. In addition, in Lochgelly, Scotland, the consolidation of machine shop operations into other facilities, the job eliminations related to changes in cable re-roll processes, and the reductions of some support functions are going ahead as previously announced.
With previously announced actions already undertaken to close the company's Enterprise segment's Brisbane, Australia facility, more than 700 existing jobs are being affected, with the majority of these positions planned for relocation to other existing company locations.
In a new initiative, CommScope has informed employees of plans to relocate base station antenna production from Norcross, Georgia to an existing Andrew facility in Reynosa, Mexico. The Norcross facility will close by mid-January, affecting approximately 55 employees there.
"These actions are part of CommScope's goal to utilize facilities more efficiently, reduce costs and enhance its long-term competitive position in markets around the world," comments Brian Garrett, CommScope president and chief operating officer. "It is regrettable that these actions will impact some of our people, however the long-term well-being of our global employee population, as well as customers and shareholders, is best served by reducing costs whenever possible while addressing the changing needs of our customers."
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