SMTC to close facility in Cork, Ireland

To lower operating costs, SMTC Corp. said it will close an Ireland plant.

The Markham, Canada, EMS provider plans to shut its Cork, Ireland facility through a voluntary liquidation, but the company will continue to serve customers in Europe through its Donegal, Ireland operation. SMTC executives expect to take a restructuring charge between $8 million and $10 million for the company's first quarter, which ends in March due to the plant closure.

"Our 2001 restructuring initiative has kept us focused on continually looking for ways to improve our operating efficiencies," said Paul Walker, president and chief executive in a statement.