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Global Leaders in Advanced Manufacturing Partner to Expand Semiconductor Wafer Production in Missouri

  • June 21, 2021

GLOBALFOUNDRIES (GF), the global leader in feature-rich semiconductor manufacturing, and GlobalWafers Co., Ltd. (GWC), one of the top silicon wafer manufacturers in the world, recently announced that they reached an $800 million agreement to add a 300mm silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafer manufacturing and expand an existing 200mm SOI wafer production at GWC’s facility in O’Fallon, Missouri.

“We’re proud to see a Missouri business step up to address the critical semiconductor need we are seeing in countless industries all across our state and nation,” said Governor Mike Parson. “GWC’s expansion will strengthen the global semiconductor supply chain, promote American manufacturing, and support good-paying jobs right here in Missouri.”

The long-term agreement includes nearly $210 million in capital expenditures to expand GWC’s facility in Missouri and will create more than 75 new jobs. The silicon wafers produced by GWC are key input materials for semiconductors and an integral part of GF’s supply chain.

“Semiconductors are critical to our national security and economic competitiveness,” said Missouri Senator Roy Blunt. “The supply chain of these computer chips is highly complex and largely dominated by other countries. We need to begin making more chips at home to protect U.S. industries from chip shortages like we have seen in recent months. Today’s announcement is good news for semiconductor manufacturing and will create steady, good-paying, high-tech jobs for Missourians.”

GF employs more than 7,000 people across the U.S. Over the past 12 years, the company has invested $15 billion in U.S. semiconductor development. GF is doubling its planned investment in 2021 to expand global capacity and support growing demand from the U.S. government and industry customers for secure processing and connectivity applications.

“As a trusted semiconductor manufacturer and supplier to the U.S. government, and the world leader in RF semiconductor technology, GF has been leading the charge to accelerate U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and boost our capacity to meet the growing global demand for chips,” said GF CEO Tom Caulfield. “The kind of partnership we are announcing today with GWC is only possible thanks to Congressional leadership and the renewed national interest in growing U.S. semiconductor manufacturing capacity.”

“We are proud to deepen our strategic partnership with GF, and to expand our important role in the U.S. semiconductor supply chain,” said Doris Hsu, Chairman and CEO of GWC. “We thank the State of Missouri for its support. We also thank our incredible O’Fallon team, whose dedication and hard work have enabled our success and growth. We look forward to ramping up our 300mm pilot line this year, and accelerating our build-out with GF.”

“For more than six decades, we have been the home of MEMC and its manufacturing of world class silicon wafers,” said O’Fallon Mayor Bill Hennessy. “O’Fallon takes pride in providing a business and family-friendly environment with a high quality of life that supports MEMC’s success. We are thrilled by this new partnership between GlobalWafers and GLOBALFOUNDRIES and the positive impact it will have on our city, state and nation.”

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