Nexperia lawyers up to save Newport fab

Nexperia has hired US and UK legal counsel to challenge the British government’s decision to block the takeover of the Newport Wafer Fab in Wales. In addition to British barrister Lord Pannick, the Nijmegen-headquartered chipmaker has engaged law firm Akin Gump to represent the company’s interests at the British High Court proceedings, according to a report in The Telegraph.

Grant Shapps, the UK’s Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, announced the blockade two months ago, citing national security concerns. Nexperia, which acquired the struggling 40-year-old fab in 2021, expressed shock over the decision and immediately vowed to appeal.