Vishay invests £51 million in new wafer fab
On November 29, Vishay Intertechnology (Vishay) announced a significant investment of £51 million in its new wafer fab, drawing widespread attention in the semiconductor industry.
The globally renowned Vishay Intertechnology made a splashy announcement, revealing its plan to inject a substantial sum of £51 million into the Newport Wafer Fab (NWF) located in Wales. Notably, this wafer fab underwent a major transformation earlier this year, changing ownership through a forced acquisition from Nexperia (Anshi Semiconductor). This monumental investment has received strong backing from the Welsh Government, which has contributed £5 million in financial support. The Welsh Government holds a keen interest in the development of the semiconductor industry in the region. Apart from supporting Vishay's investment, it is also actively fostering other semiconductor companies in the area, striving to build a thriving semiconductor industry ecosystem.
This investment is poised to make a profound impact on the development trajectory of the Newport Wafer Fab. It will fully support the establishment of a new production line for power devices and facilitate the factory's strategic shift towards silicon carbide (SiC) power devices, a cutting-edge field. Prior to the acquisition by Nexperia, the wafer fab already had a small gallium nitride (GaN) device foundry line, possessing a certain level of technical foundation and production experience. This investment is expected to build on this basis, achieving greater breakthroughs and innovations, and enhancing its competitiveness and influence in the global power device market.
Similarly, another key player in the US semiconductor industry, KLA (KLA-Tencor), is also making significant strides in Wales. The company is busy constructing its new European headquarters at Imperial Park in Newport. Following the successful acquisition of SPTS, a semiconductor equipment manufacturer under Orbitech, the construction of this new headquarters marks a crucial step in KLA's European market expansion strategy. This colossal £100 million development project is progressing in full swing, with the core objective of establishing a state-of-the-art development center and advanced manufacturing facilities, along with high-standard clean rooms for research and development. To ensure the smooth progress and subsequent operation of the project, KLA is actively recruiting up to 750 employees. These initiatives are undoubtedly injecting new vitality and talent resources into the Welsh semiconductor industry.
Furthermore, there are more highlights worth noting in the semiconductor industry layout in Wales. The Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult Center near Newport has taken proactive measures by opening a £1.6 million compound semiconductor packaging pilot line. This pilot line will provide an important practical platform for the research and development of compound semiconductor packaging technologies, contributing to the enhancement of Wales' technological level and industrial competitiveness in the field of compound semiconductor packaging. Meanwhile, at the Cardiff Gate Innovation Center, Microlink Devices and CSConnected have become the first tenants of this 51,000-square-foot innovation center. Their presence will attract more related companies and innovative resources, forming a favorable industrial agglomeration effect. Additionally, a £2.5 million net-zero emission research project at the Swansea University Semiconductor Materials Center is collaborating with Vishay to explore ways to achieve emission reduction targets in the semiconductor industry, promoting the green and sustainable development of the semiconductor industry, which aligns with the important global trends and social responsibilities in the semiconductor industry.
Rebecca Evans, the Welsh Government's Secretary for Economy, Energy, and Planning, proudly stated, "Compound semiconductors are everywhere - in our homes, phones, trains, and turbines. They are essential components for the modern world to function, and despite their seemingly insignificant role in the entire industrial system, their global growth prospects are very strong. And Wales is increasingly becoming a world-leading region in their production and manufacturing." This fully demonstrates Wales' ambitions and outstanding achievements in the semiconductor industry. "After a decade of cluster cultivation, we are now reaping the returns on our commitments, and we will continue to drive this commitment forward." Wales is steadily advancing on the path of semiconductor industry development and is set to welcome a visit from a Canadian semiconductor company in the spring of 2025. This exchange and visit are expected to further promote cooperation and exchanges between Wales and international semiconductor companies, bringing more international advanced technologies, innovative ideas, and investment resources to the Welsh semiconductor industry, and propelling it to shine more brightly on the global semiconductor industry stage.
