An American electronics firm is to create up to 1,100 jobs in Scotland's "Silicon Glen".

ADC, which specialises in transmission and networking systems, is siting its European manufacturing base in Glenrothes.

ADC Telecommunications currently has more than 14,000 employees worldwide and has expanded on the back of the cable market which now offers multi-channel cable TV and interactive television like home shopping.

The Minnesota-based firm is investing �27m ($43m) in a 50,000 square feet plant at Bankhead Park. Recruitment will begin immediately.

Tapping talent pool

The new jobs are said to be highly skilled and will draw on the pool of electronics talent in Scotland.

The company said it planned to take on as many as 1,100 workers over five years at the facility, which will produce sophisticated copper, optical fibre and wireless products for the European telecommunications industry.

First Minister Donald Dewar said: "I am delighted to welcome today's announcement.

Donald Dewar: Welcomed announcement

"The siting of ADC's manufacturing facility in Glenrothes represents a major investment by a leading international company and can only enhance Scotland's reputation in the global marketplace."

Mary Quay, vice president of international manufacturing operations at ADC's Broadband Connectivity Group, said: "This is a very important day in ADC's continued global expansion.

"This facility firmly establishes our commitment to support our rapidly growing base of European customers,"

ADC already employs 196 people in the UK.

'Major coup'

Locate in Scotland, the government-backed inward investment agency, views ADC's decision as a major coup.

According to LiS, Scotland now produces:

• 28% of Europe's PCs

• More than 7% of the world's PCs

• Nearly 80% of Europe's workstations

• 65% of Europe's automated teller machines

• 29% of Europe's notebooks

The electronics industry in Scotland employs 40,500 people directly with another 29,500 employed indirectly in the supply infrastructure.

Scotland's semiconductor fabrication plants employ more than 5,500 people, and suppliers to the semiconductor industry provide work for 2,700.