Tyco Electronics to Close Its Irvine Factory

Tyco Electronics, moving to trim capacity, said Friday that it will close an Irvine factory employing 300 people by the end of November. Employees were told earlier this week that some will be absorbed at other Tyco facilities in the U.S., spokeswoman Mary Ann Kane said. “There will be some opportunity to transfer,” she said. The plant had been part of Thomas & Betts’ electronic division, which was acquired last month by Tyco’s parent, Tyco International Ltd. for $750 million in cash. Tyco Electronics, based in Harrisburg, Pa., concluded that other factories could handle the Irvine plant’s workload. The Irvine facility makes connectors for computers, cell phones and other telecommunication uses.