INTEL FEATURE: Along with so many hi-tech companies in Swindon, Intel, which employs about 750 people has its European headquarters in Swindon, has had to review staff levels.

In June the company announced that it was cutting 4,000 jobs globally by the year's end and at present it is in consultations with the Swindon workforce as to who could be affected.

While specific numbers cannot yet be ascertained, the global figure represents about a total five per cent of the workforce.

However, Maria Marced, Intel vice- president and general manager of the UK operation, is upbeat about the future for the industry as a whole and Intel in Swindon in particular.

"Last year was a difficult year for the IT industry, communications and computer focussed industries," she says.

"Even so, we managed to make $1.3 billion, proving that we are a very solid company.

"We are at the start of the digital revolution so are confident for the future.

"Meanwhile, we are investing even more than in the past. We see the best way to get out of the crisis is to invest in order to get better than our rivals, creating exciting products.

"Last year we invested £5 billion, much of it new factories allowing us to get ahead, plus $3.5 billion on research and development.

"What we have seen is a return to seasonal patterns. Hopefully this will continue across sector.

"Investment continues into the internet where there is over capacity. This must be set up in order to expand.

"In this area there are particular problems in Europe, with vast amounts spent on third generation technology licences.

"But we are now starting to see many EU governments sorting out tax and regulations to allow natural rather than forced growth and avarice is being put aside. The internet is growing so quickly, requiring increased support which in turn must lead to a regeneration of business.

"As an industry we are are going through difficult times. But I would emphasise that Intel is one of the few companies not laying people off, concentrating on natural attrition.

"It is not easy. With an 85,000 workforce worldwide, last year we had to reduce this by 7,000 initially, then another 4,000.

"What is clear is that Swindon is a very effective site for us, where we are able to recruit the skills we need.

"Here we have our call centre for all Europe, requiring a lot of language skills. In other countries it is far more difficult to set up such operations.

"There is going to be an end to the present crisis, and we are going to be ready and ahead when it happens."