KLA Corporation, a world leader in developing industry-leading equipment and services that advance innovation throughout the electronics industry, has celebrated the completion of Phase 1 of its newest manufacturing facility.

Primarily, this Phase 1 building of the new facility is part of a US$200 million investment by KLA to grow its presence in Singapore, which currently serves as a key manufacturing and engineering hub for KLA. Encompassing about 200,000 square feet, the new building has been designed strategically to address the increasing demand for process control solutions developed with the most stringent requirements for vibration control and cleanroom protocol. Also, it features a 46,000-square-foot Class 100 cleanroom and a 12,000-square-foot Class 10K cleanroom.

Now, with Phase 1 complete, the company will soon begin work on a second phase to expand the facility, which is projected to be completed by 2026. The Phase 2 structure will add more critical space, bringing the total facility capacity to 420,000 square feet, further expanding cleanroom space as well as its local research and development (R&D) facilities. In addition to expanding its production capabilities, the company will add about 400 new employees to the local workforce upon facility completion.

“From KLA’s first foray in Singapore close to 30 years ago, we have grown in step with the maturing of Singapore’s semiconductor manufacturing industry and talent base,” said Theo Kneepkens, KLA Singapore country president and KLA senior vice president of Global Operations. “We’ve steadily expanded our operations here over the years to serve both regional and global customers. This new facility is a testament to the strategic importance of Singapore and the remarkable growth of our business in the region, further strengthening our manufacturing and innovation capabilities.”

Building Presence as Global Manufacturing Hub

Particularly, the announcement comes at a crucial time as Singapore focuses on building its presence as a leading manufacturing hub globally. Along this line, it aims to expand the value-add of its manufacturing sector by 50 percent by 2030. Thus, with the increasing global demand for semiconductors, Singapore continues investing in infrastructure to support the semiconductor ecosystem and supply chain.

“KLA is a valued partner in the growth of Singapore’s semiconductor equipment industry. Its latest manufacturing facility will contribute to the development of new semiconductor capabilities in Singapore, and offer exciting roles and career pathways to Singaporeans,” said Mr. Chang Chin Nam, EDB senior vice president and head of semiconductors. “KLA’s expansion here is a testament to the competitiveness of Singapore’s semiconductor ecosystem and will strengthen our position as a critical global node for semiconductor equipment to meet growing global demands.”

In addition to boosting the regional manufacturing capabilities, this investment also underscores KLA’s commitment to developing and nurturing local highly skilled technical talent. This is in line with the government’s plans to establish Singapore as an innovation and manufacturing hub. As of 2023, it has conducted 15,000 training sessions, including training programs to hone the niche skills needed for the industry.

-11 October 2024-