Almere, the Netherlands-based ASM specialises in designing and manufacturing equipment and process solutions to produce semiconductor devices for wafer processing.
On Tuesday, December 5, the company announced that it is investing €300M over up to five years to design and construct the new state-of-the-art site on more than 20 acres (8.5 hectares) in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The total investment is a combination of capital expenditures related to infrastructure and lab equipment and includes operational expenses such as the additional research and engineering jobs created with the expansion.
ASM’s Arizona site
The new North American headquarters will cover 250,000 square feet (20,000 m²), more than double the size of the current facility.
The global technology and innovation center will house a variety of functions under one roof, allowing ASM departments to collaborate more efficiently.
It includes investing in leading-edge lab equipment and state-of-the-art infrastructure not just for research and development, but also for renewable energy, a water recycling facility, and other sustainability features.
Some of the company’s global operations and corporate support functions will also be on-site, including supply chain, manufacturing engineering, a Global Training Center, and the Global Software Team.
“ASM’s facility in Arizona has always been a key center for the development of leading technologies that enabled many breakthroughs in the global semiconductor industry,” says Benjamin Loh, CEO of ASM. “The investment in our new facility in Scottsdale will substantially expand our research and development activities, further strengthening Arizona as a hub for top-notch semiconductor innovation.”
The company currently employs over 800 people in Arizona and plans to hire an estimated additional 500 people over the next six years, creating new job opportunities in engineering as well as research and development.
The site will be designed as a destination to work, with various amenities that will provide support to employees in accomplishing their work and their general well-being.
“Arizona and the US are valuable partners in the Netherlands’ mission to co-create solutions that promote innovation and partnerships in the global semiconductor value chain,” says Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands. “It is through these types of cross-border collaborations that we are shaping the future of advancements in this growing industry.”
ASM first established its North American headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, in 1976 and was one of the first semiconductor equipment companies in the state. ASM has seven R&D centers and several manufacturing facilities around the world, with its global headquarters located in the Netherlands.
ASM’s sustainability theme
Sustainability has been a cornerstone of ASM’s global business processes and will continue to be a main theme with the new North American headquarters.
The company will pursue LEED rating for the new facility while also driving programs for energy and water reuse.
The Dutch company is also committed to reclaimed water system improvements to further reduce the use and recycling of water and targets more than 80 per cent reclaimed water in the new facility.
The current facility in Arizona has reduced its absolute water use by 60 per cent from 2017 to 2022, even with substantial growth in its business activities during this period.
Construction of the new North American facility is expected to take about three years.
ASM also announced a new partnership with the Arizona Sustainability Alliance (AZSA), where ASM will support AZSA with a $240,000 investment over three years to its Urban Forestry Tree Planting & Associated Education Initiatives and its annual events like the Sustainability Celebration and Conservation Invasion.
Over the next three years, ASM will fund the planting of more than 250 trees and ASM employees will take part in tree planting volunteer days.
“ASM’s expansion further positions Arizona as the nation’s leading center for semiconductor innovation and manufacturing,” says Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “ASM has been a longtime industry partner in Arizona, and we look forward to supporting their continued success.”
“ASM is anchored in Arizona, and we are pleased to welcome their new North American headquarters to Scottsdale for the next chapter of their continued growth,” says David D. Ortega, Mayor of Scottsdale. “ASM will be locating over 1,000 high-paying technology jobs in our city and their focus on sustainability ensures they will be a fantastic community partner in the shared goal to preserve our most valuable resources.”
Read the orginal article: https://siliconcanals.com/news/asm-international-to-invest-300m-semiconductor-facility/
