Key Tronic Corp, Spokane, Washington-based maker of keyboards and computer peripherals, said it would be consolidating manufacturing operations in a restructuring that will see 150 to 200 jobs being cut. The company will be tranferring the remainder of its northwest assembly operations and part of its northwest molding operations to its facility in Juarez, Mexico, where wages are cheaper. The job reductions will come from Spokane – about one-third of its staff there – although Key Tronic said it will be transferring a number of staff from there to Mexico. Key Tronic reckons the lay-offs will not result in a charge, as it’s only offering about three weeks’ severance pay to the departing employees and the actions will be taken over six months. The company’s total headcount at present is 2,700 and it operates the aforementioned facilities as well as one in Ireland. Key Tronic shares fell $0.125 after the announcement, to close at $2.625.
