Matsushita Electric (U.K.) Ltd., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.'s subsidiary in Britain, said Friday it plans to lay off about 600 of its 1,050 employees.
Matsushita Electric (U.K.) said the job cuts are necessary as the company has decided to stop manufacturing products such as color televisions at its factory in Cardiff, South Wales.
The Cardiff factory's research and development section will remain, while laptop computer and microwave oven production there will continue, the company said.
Matsushita Electric (U.K.) said it plans to launch negotiations over the decision with its labor union.