Applied Materials said it is cutting its work force.

The Santa Clara, Calif.-based producer of wafer fabrication systems for the semiconductor industry will lay off 190 people to adjust for the current slowdown in the semiconductor industry. At the same time, the company said it will take a one-week plant shutdown, beginning Aug. 26, for all employees except those involved in sales, customer support or certain critical activities. Both actions involve only the firm’s domestic operations.