AST Research Inc, whose new owner, Samsung Electronics Co is almost home and dry in acquiring it, says that in response to lower-than-expected first quarter results, it plans to reduce its worldwide work force by about 25%, and expects to take a related charge of about $12m during the second quarter. In the first quarter, it saw lower demand, an accelerated competitive pricing environment, and there was a product transition in its commercial desktop and notebook lines. It also blamed uncertainty over the Samsung offer.
