National Semiconductor is closing a Malaysian unit.

The company said it is concentrating its Malaysian semiconductor operations in expanded facilities in Penang and Malacca and will phase out operations at its Seremban assembly plant over the next four to six months. “This plant closing is not a direct result of the current industry downturn,” said Max E. Stanton, vice president of Asia/Pacific manufacturing operations. “It is part of a long-term modernization and consolidation program driven by increasing customer needs for faster service and different product mixes.”