TF AMD’s RM2 bln plant in Penang to be ready in 1Q23
GEORGE TOWN: Semiconductor company TF AMD Microelectronics (Penang) Sdn Bhd expects its RM2 billion manufacturing facility in Penang to be completed in the first quarter of next year.
Managing director and corporate vice-president, Neoh Soon Ee said the new facility at Batu Kawan Industrial Park would be its second site in Penang, and it is expected to create more than 3,000 jobs in advanced semiconductor engineering, design, and process technologies for high-performance computing solutions.
“The new facility, spanning 0.139 million square metres (sq m) and occupying approximately 5.66 hectares, will manufacture advanced integrated circuit technology.
“Once completed, it will bring TF AMD's total manufacturing capacity to over 0.21 million sqm,” he told a press conference after announcing the investment plans yesterday.
Also present were Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and InvestPenang chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Loo Lee Lian.
TF AMD Microelectronics is a joint venture company established in 2016 between China's TongFu Microelectronics and United States-based Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).
AMD executive vice-president, chief financial officer and treasurer, Datuk Devinder Kumar said AMD has had outstanding growth in the last few years, and TF AMD has played a key role as a strategic supplier and partner in supporting its growth.
Commenting on the global chip shortage, he said the supply has not yet caught up with the demand, especially in advanced computing, where AMD participates.
“That demand is still strong because demand for computing continues to grow globally.
“I hope the investment we are making will help with the supply situation and it will probably get resolved in one or two years,” he added.
Meanwhile, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) CEO, Datuk Arham Abdul Rahman said Malaysia continues to be the investment destination for highvalue manufacturing and global services in Asia.
He said foreign investors' confidence in Malaysia has also continued to grow because the country remained a haven for one of the most comprehensive ecosystems in the region; the Electrical and Electronics (E&E) and Machinery and Equipment (M&E) industries, thus making it the preferred single largest site for offshore semiconductor firms.
“We will announce the firstquarter investment performance for Malaysia in a few days.
“It will be a good number, especially for the E&E sector.
“However, it will be difficult to reach the figure achieved in the same quarter last year where we approved a lumpy project worth RM42.2 billion,” he said. — Bernama
The new facility, spanning 0.139 million square metres (sq m) and occupying approximately 5.66 hectares, will manufacture advanced integrated circuit technology.
Neoh Soon Ee