VLSI President Quits; Shares Fall

VLSI Technology Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer Richard M. Beyer quit the maker of specialized semiconductors, which has seen profit fall on slowing sales of its chips used in wireless phones. San Jose-based VLSI said it has no immediate plans to name a replacement for Beyer, who it said left for “personal reasons.” Chairman and Chief Executive Alfred J. Stein will assume Beyer’s duties. Beyer’s departure comes as VLSI and other computer chip makers combat falling sales caused in part by weak demand, especially in Asia. The company said recently that it would fire 7% of its work force. VSLI’s shares fell 88 cents to close at $13 on Nasdaq.