Analogue and sensor specialist ams says it will create more than 1000 jobs and invest more than $2billion over the next 20 years to support the construction of a fab in New York state capable of running 200 and 300mm wafers. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2016.
Chief operating officer Dr Thomas Stockmeier said: "Building a new wafer fab will help us achieve our growth plans and meet increasing demand for our advanced manufacturing nodes.
"Our decision to locate the facility in New York was motivated by the highly skilled workforce, the proximity to esteemed education and research institutions, and the favourable business environment provided by Governor Cuomo and the public and private partners we are working with on this important project."
Additionally, ams will collaborate with Fort Schuyler Management and SUNY Poly on a joint development program to support complementary research, commercialisation and workforce training.
The investment by ams is part of New York State's Computer Chip Commercialization Center – or Quad C – initiative at the Marcy campus (pictured). This is part of Nano Utica, a $1.5bn plan to establish a nanotechnology ecosystem.
GE Global Research will be the so called 'anchor tenant' at Quad C, building a power electronics packaging facility. Mark Little, GE's chief technology officer, said: "We are creating a silicon carbide corridor that will be the epicentre of the next revolution in power. In Utica, it will create the first US based power electronics manufacturing centre with GE's silicon carbide technology."
Pic: Aerial photo of the Marcy campus. credit: Xakuri
Author
Graham Pitcher
Source: www.newelectronics.co.uk