Sun Microsystems Inc opened a new UK manufacturing plant in Greencroft, County Durham last week for its Integrated Micro Products business unit, formed from its acquisition of fault-tolerant systems manufacturer Integrated Micro Products Plc last April (CI No 2,891). The new 33,000 square foot plant will supplement the output of the original 12,000 square foot home in Consett, which is no longer adequate to contain the company’s 100% plus growth in revenues last year, and the addition of 50 employees with recruitment continuing – and it sees huge potential for growth in Europe, given that 90% of current ft-Sparc sales go to the US with the other 10% going to Japan. The plant was under construction with the help of a regional grant before Sun moved in and bought the firm.
