Advanced Manufacturing

TSMC gives insight into Arizona factory to compete for federal chips funding

November 23, 2022

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is vying for federal funds by highlighting its work globally and its current and future operations at its planned Phoenix factory. In response to the U.S. Department of Commerce request for information on the implementation of the CHIPS incentives program, TSMC said that the CHIPS Program Office should prioritize grant applicants that have a “long successful track record in advanced logic fabrication, R&D and existing sizable headcount that offers decisive proof points that the incentives provided will lead to a successful investment result.”

Manufacturing co. boosts Arizona economy with opening of optical production facility and new headquarters

November 22, 2022

Viavi Solutions Inc. announced it has opened its new production facility in Chandler, Arizona. The company has added to U.S. manufacturing capacity as it has grown its presence in the state, including the move of its global headquarters. Since preparations to move its global headquarters from California began in 2021, the company has already made significant contributions to the business and technology community.

Apple to buy chips from Arizona semiconductor plant, report says

November 21, 2022

Apple Inc. plans to buy chips from an Arizona semiconductor plant that expects to begin operations in 2024, Bloomberg News reported. Tim Cook, CEO of the tech giant, seemed to refer to the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. fab that’s under construction in north Phoenix when he made the remarks during internal meetings in Germany, Bloomberg reported.

Semiconductor giant could be planning another $12B investment in Phoenix, reports say

November 17, 2022

A Wall Street Journal report said Wednesday that chip giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. could be planning a multibillion-dollar expansion in Phoenix in addition to what’s it’s already planning to build. TSMC plans to announce in the coming months that it will build a “cutting-edge” semiconductor factory, or fab, north of Phoenix, according to people who spoke with the Wall Street Journal and are familiar with the expansion plans.

Arizona allocates $100 million to boost semiconductor industry in state

November 16, 2022

The state of Arizona announced on Friday that it plans to invest $100 million to support the growth of the state’s semiconductor industry. The $100 million investment will go towards building a public-private partnership focused on building out Arizona’s infrastructure, workforce and research and development for semiconductors, the state said.

Yield Engineering Systems partners with Benchmark for global engineering and manufacturing support

October 7, 2022

Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: BHE), a global provider of engineering, design, and manufacturing services, today announced it is partnering with Yield Engineering Systems (YES) to transfer the manufacturing of the YES flagship product line to its facility in Malaysia, as well as providing engineering and manufacturing support for YES’s upcoming innovative modular wet process systems in the Phoenix, Arizona area.

Intel partnership to invest $30B in leading-edge chip factories in Arizona

August 25, 2022

Intel Corporation announced a first-of-its-kind Semiconductor Co-Investment Program (SCIP) that introduces a new funding model to the capital-intensive semiconductor industry. As part of its program, Intel has signed a definitive agreement with the infrastructure affiliate of Brookfield Asset Management, one of the largest global alternative asset managers, which will provide Intel with a new, expanded pool of capital for manufacturing build-outs.

Intel, semiconductor industry celebrate as Biden signs CHIPS Act into law

August 15, 2022

President Joe Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act on Tuesday, cementing historic investment into domestic semiconductor manufacturing. The legislation is backed by industry including one of Arizona’s largest private employers, Intel Corp., which is expanding its largest chip manufacturing plant, or fab, in Chandler. The company (Nasdaq: INTC) has more than 12,000 employees in Arizona, and plans to increase that number by 3,000 when the expansion is complete.

My View: CHIPS and Science Act a winning combination for Arizona

August 15, 2022

It seems not long ago we all wondered why something as small as a microchip could be such a big deal in our lives, especially as we dealt with shortages that seemingly tapped the brakes on keeping up with the demand for the latest and greatest innovation in our cell phones, computers and cars. Soon all that chaos and unpredictability should be a faded memory as Arizona puts the rest of our nation in the fast lane toward the future with plenty of chips, thanks to some help from the new CHIPS and Science Act.

TechFocus Member Spotlight: Tom Smelker, VP and GM of Microsystems for Mercury Systems

August 12, 2022

Connect with Mercury Systems and Tom Smelker, VP and GM of Microsystems. A DMEA accredited microelectronic manufacturer, Mercury delivers mission-critical products and solutions to advanced applications deployed across land, sea, air, space and cyberspace domains.

Advanced Manufacturing

Register for the Council’s upcoming Phoenix and Tucson tech events and Optics Valley optics + photonics events.

Subscribe to AZTC Email Communications