A TECH firm from Swindon will axe around 33 workers, it has been announced.

Swindon Silicon Systems, which it is based in Royal Wootton Bassett, blamed changes in global demand for the redundancy decision.

The firm, owned by multinational Sensata Technologies, makes hi-tech sensors, switches and controls for items ranging from electric vehicles to hearing aids.

It is understood the company would partly move production to a facility in Malaysia, but reiterated its commitment to Swindon.

Swindon Silicon Systems said the decision was unrelated to Brexit, saying the move would give the firm the “opportunity to significantly grow and better support the emerging global megatrends with new innovative solutions”.

Jerry Loraine, Swindon Silicon general manager for Sensata Technologies, said the 33 redundancies would fall in its tyre pressure monitoring team: “This has been a very difficult decision and our focus now is on providing support to the affected employees and their families."

“Our Swindon site plays an integral role in the global operations of Sensata Technologies and as part of the strategy for the future we will be growing our Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) production test capabilities.

“Regretfully, as part of the reorganisation, the high volume Tyre Pressure Monitoring System ASIC production test will be relocating from Swindon, resulting in the potential reduction in work force by approximately 33 people.”

The firm, which employs 144 at its Wiltshire base, stressed its support to the town. Mr Loraine said: “Swindon is and will remain the Semiconductor hub for Sensata. The site is of strategic importance to the business and by refocusing our resources in this way we are confident that Swindon will have the opportunity to grow significantly in the years to come by better supporting emerging business initiatives.”

Last month, technology giant Dyson announced it would be moving its headquarters to Singapore. Swindon Silicon Systems said the Dyson move had not impacted its decision to move production to Malaysia.