Brooks Automation to cut 20 percent of work force

Brooks Automation Inc. of Chelmsford plans to cut 350 jobs, or 20 percent of its work force, to bring down costs, the company said today.

It will be the second consecutive round of cuts for Brooks, which makes software and equipment for chip manufacturers. The company shed 10 percent of its work force during the fourth-quarter, as sputtering demand for the electronic devices chips help run forced inventory and spending cuts industrywide.

Brooks said it will book $10 million to $12 million in charges associated with the layoffs, $4.1 million of it during the first fiscal quarter of 2009.

As a part of the restructuring, the company said it will combine its vacuum pump and robotic production groups into a single unit to save costs.

The company's stock was up 7 cents to $4.66 in afternoon trading. (AP)