Texas Instruments’ Sensors & Controls Business — which employs some 2,700 full-time workers and 500 contract workers in Attleboro, Mass. — is rolling out early retirement packages for as many as 700 eligible workers. At the same time, company officials are stopping short of predicting layoffs.
“We’re not planning any layoffs now,” said Linda Megathlin, the company’s communications manager. “This is in response to market conditions.”
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Those market conditions are apparently shaking the Dallas-based computer chipmaker.
On Monday, Feb. 26, Texas Instruments reported that first-quarter revenue will be lower than previously projected — dropping by 20 percent over the fourth quarter. The company had expected a decline of 10 percent.
Company officials said cost-cutting efforts would include a hiring freeze, the idling of some manufacturing plants and early retirement packages.
The company’s capital spending plans for 2001 have also been lowered from $2.8 billion to $2 billion — a 30 percent reduction.
Company officials have said that the TI Sensors & Controls Business in Attleboro would not be affected by shutdowns. But that does not mean the Attleboro division — which makes anti-lock brake sensors for automobiles and motor protectors for large appliances — is immune to the shakeup.
Megathlin said as many as 20 percent to 30 percent of the 700 eligible workers in At-tleboro would be expected to accept the voluntary early retirement packages.In addition, while there is no talk of widespread “idling” in Attleboro, manufacturing too has felt an impact.
“We have had some short work-weeks,” Megathlin said.
Travel and overtime have also been limited, according to Megathlin.
About 35 percent of Texas Instruments’ Attleboro workforce comes from Rhode Island, with the majority of the employees living in Attleboro, Fall River and New Bedford, according to Megathlin.
Tracing its roots
The company traces its roots to 1916 when it was known as the General Plate Company, providing gold plating processes to the Rhode Island jewelry industry. It first purchased land in Attleboro, Massachusetts in 1925 — constructing a building the following year.
In 1931, General Plate merg-ed with the Spencer Thermostat Company and formed Metals and Controls Corporation. That merger — combining the capabilities of metal processing with temperature-sensing control expertise — eventually attracted the attention of the giant conglomerate, Texas Instruments. In 1959, TI merged with the former Metals and Controls.
Today, TI’s Attleboro facility consists of businesses that design, manufacture and market to customers in Europe, Asia and North and South America.
The business has manufacturing and production sites in Kentucky, Brazil, Mexico, Holland, Malaysia, Japan, Korea and China.
Texas Instruments is a major economic force for the economy of Bristol County, Massachusetts. And its commitment to the community appears to be unparalleled.
“Texas Instruments is really a big brother in this community,” said Lorraine McCarthy, executive director of the 550-member Attleboro Area Chamber of Com-merce.”Any time we ask them to partner with us on something, the answer is yes.”
News of the shakeup at Texas Instruments, however, does not worry McCarthy. “In chatting with contacts at Texas Instruments, this is more of a restructuring,” she said. “They are not giving us any indication that Texas Instruments is pulling out of the area or that anything is going to change.”
Last Tuesday’s Sun Chronicle, a daily paper that covers Attleboro and North Attleboro, did lead with the news out of Texas Instruments, with the headline: “TI cuts back work force.”
But for the small businesses, offices and shops that line the streets of downtown Attleboro, it was business as usual last week.
At Norm’s Emporium — a convenience store and deli on Park Street — Norm was busy last Tuesday morning checking customers’ lottery tickets. Yes, he said, Texas Instruments is a major employer, but one that draws from several surrounding communities.
A reduction in the company’s work force will not hurt business at Norm’s Emporium because few TI stop there after work.
“Once they get out of work there, they’re on their way home,” he said.
Texas Instruments’ Attleboro home it represents perhaps the largest and most physically impressive facilities in the area.
The campus — which traditionally operates 24-hours per day — consists of 25 buildings with 1.5 million square feet of office and manufacturing space.
It is located on a 275-acre site, 30 minutes south of Boston and 20 minutes north of Providence. The entire facility includes 3.6 miles of road and more than 3,000 parking spaces. Inside, the facility features two full-service cafeterias and an employee recreation facility with pool, gymnasium, and running track, aerobics and weight rooms. The facility also has its own $10 million state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant.
