Fairchild Puts 2 Overseas Chip Plants Up for Sale

Two of Fairchild Semiconductor’s overseas manufacturing plants are up for sale, amid efforts by Fairchild’s parent, Schlumberger Ltd., to get out from under the heavy burden of the semiconductor business.

Fairchild itself is up for sale. Since a plan for Japanese chip maker Fujitsu to buy Cupertino, Calif.-based Fairchild collapsed last month, Schlumberger has considered options including a management-backed buyout for the subsidiary. A Schlumberger official confirmed that the Fairchild wafer fabrication facilities in Nagasaki, Japan, and Wasserburg, West Germany, are for sale. But the spokesman declined to comment further.

The two plants were built in 1983-1984, during a strong upswing in the semiconductor industry when many chip makers were expanding worldwide operations. Although Fairchild currently uses both plants for final assembly and testing of components, it has not used either for production.

In fact, no fabrication equipment has been installed in the plant in West Germany. A Fairchild spokeswoman said the company intends to retain assembly and test operations at those plants.