235 Apple staff were marched off the premises by security guards, personal belongings in hand yesterday. The Cupertino company has closed its Elk Grove manufacturing plant near Sacramento, California where it also maintains a call center and sales office. Apple wouldn't say exactly how many jobs had been lost, but informed State and county officials of the "separation of 235 Apple employees". A new euphemism to us, but as many readers have pointed out, standard practice for departing or retiring military employees.

According to wire reports, the jobs will stay in the United States, moving to a location in southern California.

Apple announced a profit of $46m on revenue of $1.909bn in its most recent quarter today. More details here. ®