Thursday, February 12, 2009

Aehr Test Systems Cuts 20 Percent

Fremont-based Aehr Test Systems, a manufacturer of semiconductor test and burn-in equipment, announced Thursday that it will slash jobs and impose temporary plant closures in a bid to cut operating costs by some 20 percent. Specifically, Aehr said it will eliminate nearly 20 percent of its salaried workforce while also suspending operations for one week of each quarter. The firm said that the moves should reduce its operating expenses by one-fifth beginning with the quarter ending May 31. Rhea Posedel, Aehr's chair and chief executive officer, categorized the cutbacks as "painful but necessary" due to the current economic climate and industry forecasts.