Wales in North America reposted this
It was really good to see Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. Newport Wafer Fab and the mid-refit #Centre7 on a flying visit to south Wales. 💿 Much of my posting has been spent promoting Wales’ compound semiconductor cluster. A key cornerstone of the cluster is the Fab that’s been here since the 1980s. It was recently purchased by Pennsylvania HQ’d #Vishay for $177m. 🙌 With thanks to SAM EVANS and his amazing team I finally got to see what the Fab was all about. It’s a HUGE facility at 2️⃣8️⃣ acres and is the UK’s biggest semiconductor fab. It produces 30,000 wafers each month and provides great, skilled, well-paid jobs for the local community that pay significantly above the average for the area. 👨🏫 Through support from Llywodraeth Cymru Economi | Welsh Government Economy and the company, some of those working at the site have gone on to earn degrees. What’s great is that the company do outreach work to inspire the next generation of engineers and technicians to come into the industry (this week promoting the fab at the National #Eisteddfod). ⚡️It was really interesting to learn about the plans for the site and how this corner of Wales will help the world in e-mobility, sustainability, and connectivity. 🌎 As always it was also fun to hear of the #softpower connections! Vishay’s corporate HQ is close to #Brynmawr, PA and their new fab in Wales is not far from the original #Brynmawr in Blaenau Gwent. There’s also a strong #Swansea link to the American side of the company – with some being born in Swansea or studied at Swansea University. CENTRE 7 📈 Down the road from the fab is Centre 7. A new facility bought by the Welsh Govermment / Llywodraeth that will enable semiconductor related companies / organisations from across the world to locate into the cluster – next to some of the biggest players in the industry. 🔬 Centre 7 is currently being fitted out with a mix of ‘lab rooms’ and office space. 🇺🇸 US HQ'd MicroLink Devices UK Ltd have already announced that they’ll be re-locating to Centre 7. Another organisation has taken out a lease on another unit with another US company likely to take one of the bigger units. 🏴 If you’re in the #semiconductor world and are looking for a fantastic place, in the centre of the action to locate to – get in touch. It’s an exciting time for the industry in this part of the world – and it’s particularly exciting for me as there’s so much US activity here! 📸 outside the Fab and Centre 7 'mid re-fit' Alex B. Trade & Invest Wales Wales in North America