THE future of one of Hampshire’s most cutting edge manufacturing plants and its 400 workers was plunged into doubt after new owners were tight-lipped about their plans.

The threat of major job losses already hangs over the former NXP Semiconductors plant in Southampton, with at least 110 feared to be facing the axe and widespread speculation work could be transferred away.

Now, when approached by the Daily Echo to clarify the plant’s future, new owner California based Trident Microsystems, declined to discuss it but confirmed there would be “inevitable redundancies” in its global operation as a result of the deal.

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Previously, Southampton site managing director Barry Dennington confirmed there would be job losses here but said it would be “up to Trident” to decide on once the merger goes through.

The deal, announced in October last year, was officially finalised last week.

A Trident spokeswoman said: “We are now in the process of integrating these businesses in order to establish Trident as a strong and profitable global leader in the digital entertainment market.

“As part of the integration process, unfortunately, some restructuring will be required to reduce the inevitable redundancies that result from this type of business combination.

“It is our policy to not comment on our plans for specific sites. However when restructuring occurs we are committed to treating any affected employees fairly and respectfully.”

Councillor Royston Smith, Cabinet member for economic development, said the site was critical to the council’s ambitions to attract more high-pay jobs and companies to the area.

“We hoped that the takeover would preserve jobs and we still do,” he said. “I hope that in the coming weeks we will have more information so we can know how many jobs are going to be protected.

“We hope that Trident will see the quality of the workforce here and our commitment to the site and continue to invest.”

Southampton Test MP Alan Whitehead added: “The intentions of Trident for the site and the work are still very unclear but it would be both bad news for Southampton and for what was originally understood on the takeover if indeed staff are made redundant or the site is closed. I’ve talked to South East Economic Development Agency about what steps can be taken to ensure the best outcome for the site.”