AROUND 63 jobs could be at risk at a Crumlin factory as its owner has announced it is considering its closure.

Unisem, a global provider of semiconductor assembly and test services, has announced the proposed closure of its UK facility in Crumlin by the end of 2013, with all staff being made redundant.

Many of the staff have been with the company since it opened the Crumlin factory in 1995.

A spokeswoman for the company said the reason for the proposed closure is that since 2010 the company has seen a 'significant' reduction in the number of customer orders and sales. Even with a reduction of staff last November, the situation has continued with projections for the coming months showing no significant improvement.

She said: “Due to continuing difficult business conditions in the semiconductor assembly and test market and the failure of a number of development programs to achieve their projected business levels, the company is expected to continue to be cash flow negative.

“Without being able to lower known operating costs, and after very careful consideration, the management of the Unisem Group believes that there is no alternative but to announce a proposal to close operations in the UK.

“Whilst all avenues are currently being explored, should a solution not be found, it is currently anticipated that production will cease on December 20, with all staff being made redundant.”

With approximately 7,800 employees worldwide, Unisem also has factories in Ipoh, in Malaysia, Chengdu, in China, Batam, in Indonesia and Sunnyvale, in the United States.

The company’s headquarters are based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

On its website Unisem says the Crumlin factory provides 'ultra-fast prototype, pre-production prototype and fast-turn builds' and complete Probe and Final Test solutions for emerging start-ups and established semiconductor manufacturers.

It also provides full on-site package qualification, reliability testing and device failure analysis services to the industry.