Vishay Intertechnology, one of the world's largest manufacturers
of discrete semiconductors and passive electronic components, has
announced that it is investing £51m in Newport Wafer Fab, the
UK's largest semiconductor facility - bringing new product range
capabilities and skilled job opportunities to Newport.
The investment has been supported by £5m of Welsh Government
funding and is the latest in a long list of good news for the
South Wales compound semiconductor cluster – which continues to
attract international interest and recognition. Recent progress
includes:
- a second US owned company, KLA, constructing its new European
headquarters at Imperial Park, Newport. With Welsh
Government investment in the grid infrastructure at the site, the
215,000 square foot, $100 million development is creating a
state-of-the-art innovation centre and manufacturing facility and
will include cleanrooms for R&D and manufacturing.
Recruitment of up to 750 employees is already
underway.
- Centre 7, a world-class facility supported by Welsh
Government as part of its International Strategy, is already
attracting inward investors recognising Wales as a semi-conductor
hotspot, with Microlink Devices, and CS Connected the first
tenants at the 51,000 square foot Cardiff Gate
site.
- a £2.5m Net Zero research project at Swansea University's
Centre for Semiconductor Materials. It is pioneering the
reduction of building emissions for the semiconductor industry
and has research agreements with industrial members such as
Vishay, which counts a number of Swansea alumni amongst its
executives
- Cardiff University hosted a prestigious international
technical conference in October on semiconductor power devices,
and Wales will welcome an inward mission by Canadian
semiconductor companies in the spring.
Welcoming progress, Welsh Government Economy, Energy and Planning
Cabinet Secretary, said:
“Compound semiconductors are all around us – in our homes and in
our phones, our trains and our turbines. They are a vital, if
miniature, piece of what makes the modern world tick, with
extremely strong global growth projections. And we in Wales are
increasingly a world-leading nation in their production and
manufacture.
“Today that is more evident than ever, with our international
reputation attracting significant inward investment, the
provision and occupation of state-of-the-art facilities, clear
links with R&D and well-paid opportunities for employment and
apprenticeships.
“We are now, after a decade of seeding the cluster, reaping the
rewards of our commitment which we will continue to drive
forward.”
Notes to editors
Further detail on the Semiconductor sector will be provided by
Economy, Energy and Planning Cabinet Secretary, , in the Senedd.
