12 March 2010
Applied Materials, Inc., the world’s largest supplier of equipment to the semiconductor, flat panel display (FPD) and solar photovoltaic (PV) industries, today announced the opening of its newly expanded Tainan Manufacturing Center in Tainan, Taiwan.
The nearly 15,000 square meter facility will enhance Applied’s capability to serve its FPD and thin film solar PV customers in Asia, while capitalizing on Taiwan’s location, talent pool and supply chain efficiencies.
“The Tainan Manufacturing Center is one of our biggest investments in Asia and puts Taiwan at the center of our display and solar equipment technology efforts,” said Mike Splinter, chairman and CEO of Applied Materials. “Applied has a 20-year history of success in Taiwan and with this expanded center, we are setting a strong foundation for even greater success in the next 20 years. I would like to thank our customers, employees and the Taiwan government who helped make this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility possible.”
The Tainan Manufacturing Center employs approximately 150 people and is expected to build and ship about 100 new plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition and physical vapor deposition systems this year – a 400% increase in shipments from last year. The Center’s Tainan location and extensive supply chain in Asia will enable Applied to more rapidly meet the demands of its large base of display and solar customers in Asia.
Applied Materials has a major presence in Taiwan with more than 800 employees in 10 offices across the country. A leading market for semiconductor and FPD manufacturing, Taiwan is also becoming an increasingly active region for solar energy. In 2009, Taiwan passed renewable energy legislation aimed at promoting the use of renewable energy and boosting energy diversification. Applied has donated R&D systems for thin film solar energy research to some of Taiwan’s leading universities and supports education efforts through its Applied Young Talent program.
