The company says the temporary move will affect 300 workers at its Tennessee complex and 100 in Michigan in the coming weeks. The lay-offs could become permanent should market conditions persist.
"This is a difficult but necessary decision to enable Hemlock Semiconductor to navigate the volatility in the polysilicon and solar industries,” says president Andrew Tometich.
He notes that unresolved trade disputes between the US, China and Europe are a major factor in Hemlock's actions.
