AUSTRALIAN engine technology developer Orbital Engine Corp said this week 10 years ago it would be announcing plans to lay off 100 to 150 of its 500 workers as part of a transition into manufacturing from engine technology research and development. Orbital public affairs manager Steve Hill said the board would be meeting to discuss the redundancies, expected to be closer to 200. Compared with a $4.18 million profit recorded in the first half of the previous year, the company has recorded a $17.77 million net loss for the first half of the 1995-96 year. Mr Hill said net losses were due to the company being focused on technical programs rather than going out and chasing new licenses. North Star and Indochina merge in Vietnam.
