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ASIA ELECTRONICS INDUSTRYYOUR WINDOW TO SMART MANUFACTURING

Intel’s Arizona Expansion Marks Construction Milestone

Intel Corporation has announced marking a milestone on its ongoing manufacturing in Arizona, United States. Accordingly, the initial portion of the US$20 billion twin fabs is already “weather tight” and the “blow down” phase has already started.

Indeed, the progress of the company’s two new leading-edge chip factories on its Ocotillo campus in Chandler, Arizona, signifies a major breakthrough. Particularly, underscoring Intel’s dedication to advancing its presence in the state and fostering technological innovation.

“Our commitment to Arizona runs deep, and as we expand our operations. We remain dedicated to addressing the growing demand for semiconductors and helping the United States regain its leadership position in this vital industry,” said Dan Doron, Intel vice president and general manager of Fab Construction Enterprise.

Accompanied by construction crews, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger tours the company’s two new fabrication plants being built in Chandler, Arizona. The new factories on the company’s Ocotillo campus are part of Intel’s multibillion-dollar global manufacturing build out, which includes Oregon, Ohio, Malaysia, Ireland, Poland, Israel, and Germany (Credit: Intel Corporation)

Moreover, Doron said the milestone represents the result of “great teamwork, proficient teams, and exceptional craftmanship”, as he described the progress of the two fabs as “significant”.

Huge Economic Impact

With Arizona as an important manufacturing hub, Intel – the sole U.S.-based leading-edge chipmaker – aims to address the growing demand for semiconductors. Furthermore, to help the United States regain its leadership position in this vital industry.

Intel’s journey in Arizona began more than four decades ago. Then, the company has become an integral part of the state’s technology landscape. Today, more than 13,000 Arizona residents work at Intel. Particularly, helping to support Intel’s mission of developing and manufacturing cutting-edge technology solutions. Specifically, addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Intel’s long-term investment has yielded significant benefits for Arizona, with an estimated 58,6002 jobs supported by Intel’s operations. Intel’s annual economic impact in the state stands at $8.6 billion.

Construction workers walk through what will be the clean room for one of Intel’s two new chip fabs in Chandler, Arizona. Once construction is complete, each clean room will be filled out with about 1,200 multimillion-dollar tools necessary to manufacture Intel’s leading-edge computer processors. (Credit: Intel Corporation)

Newest Manufacturing Investments

In 2021, Intel reaffirmed its commitment to Arizona by announcing an additional $20 billion investment. This expansion initiative includes the construction of two advanced semiconductor fabs in Ocotillo, pushing Intel’s total investment in Arizona to more than $50 billion over more than four decades. The new fabs will manufacture Intel’s most advanced process technologies, including Intel 18A and Intel 20A featuring the new RibbonFET and PowerVia innovations.

The current expansion is likely to create more than 3,000 high-tech, high-wage Intel jobs. The construction alone has already generated 3,000 jobs. Additionally, it will support an estimated 15,000 indirect jobs within the local community.

The Ocotillo construction site is a bustling hub of activity. It has a daily workforce of 6,000 skilled tradespeople who have collectively worked more than 10 million job hours to date.

Workers have poured 342,000 cubic yards of concrete, an amount equivalent to filling 103 Olympic-size swimming pools. Moreover, they have constructed nearly a mile and a half of steel trestles. Intel reports good progress with the site’s mechanical, electrical, and process equipment work.