The vacuum technology manufacturer Edwards has announced plans to shift its operations overseas as it reacts to changing marketing conditions.
Citing a need to be closer to its main customer base in Asia, rather than to simply cut costs, the company’s chief executive Nigel Hunton has confirmed that all its manufacturing operations are to be moved to overseas over the coming months.
Specifically, the semiconductor manufacturing arm of the business is to be moved from Shoreham to South Korea, while at the same time, general vacuum technology operations will be relocated to the Czech Republic.
Announcing the news, Mr Hunton said: "We have learned from the turbulent markets of the past 12 months that we must be closer to our customers, many of whom are in the Far East and also that we must centralise facilities and expertise."
He added, however, that the UK will remain Edwards’ "centre of excellence for innovation", with a new base set to be opened in Sussex that will support a number of research and development jobs.
This comes as confectionery manufacturer Cadbury accepts a hostile takeover bid from US food company Kraft in a deal valuing the Birmingham-based company at around £11.5 billion.
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