Micronics sheds weight to survive

Motherboard and graphics card supplier Micronics Orchid slashed its product range, shut three European offices and got rid of 45 staff, including the CFO, last week in a bid to survive.

The company also took on 40 staff and cut its product range from 25 motherboards to three and from six graphics cards to one. US parent Micronics Computers closed its offices in Germany, France and Scandinavia.

Newly appointed UK sales and marketing director Nick Harwood admitted the company had taken a bold decision to change now.

'We have got rid of the accountants,' he said. 'Only one UK person left but 20 per cent of the workforce was fired, before the re-hiring.'

Harwood said dealers should note Micronics has decided to drop its 2D card range.

'We have newly developed technology which will have a longer life. Our hardware is inside Hewlett Packard and IBM machines, so it is good stuff.'

Micronics, which took over Orchid Technology in 1994, is known for its Hercules, Fahrenheit and Righteous 3D brands.