Micron starts lay-offs in China as US memory chipmaker exits mobile NAND market

US chipmaker Micron Technology has started a new round of lay-offs that is expected to shed hundreds of jobs in mainland China, as part of the company’s global retreat from the lacklustre mobile NAND memory market.

Micron – with offices in Shanghai, Shenzhen and Xian, capital of northwestern Shaanxi province – said “continued weakness in the mobile NAND market” prompted it to halt global development in that area, the company told Chinese media on Tuesday.

Mobile NAND refers to flash memory used in devices such as smartphones and tablets for general storage and transfer of data.

Boise, Idaho-based Micron this week started cutting jobs at its mainland units, including research and development, testing and support facilities, according to Chinese media reports. The number of axed roles was not disclosed.

The lay-offs were expected to slash more than 300 jobs in China, according to a Micron employee who declined to be named because he was not authorised to speak to the media. Like other foreign technology companies that have downsized operations in the country over the past few years, Micron offered generous compensation to mainland staff who voluntarily left the firm, the employee said.

Micron did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Tuesday.

The company’s exit from the mobile NAND market reflects how it has been grappling with fluctuations in the global memory chip market, while dealing with heightened tensions between the US and China.

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