AT&S technology factory in Kulim Hi-Tech Park to start commercial operations in 2024
28 Oct 2021
AT&S, a global leader in the manufacturing of high-end printed circuit boards and integrated circuit (IC) substrates, plans to begin the commercial operations of its RM8.5 billion technology factory in the Kulim Hi-Tech Park in Kedah in 2024.
AT&S chief operating officer Ingolf Schroeder said the construction of Phase 1 of the facility will start on Oct 30, 2021, with 15,000 piling and foundation works for the manufacturing and administration building covering 200,000-square metre of land.
“With Penang-Kedah States focusing on the electrical and electronics (E&E) industry and with a developed industrial park sector, it is a perfect ecosystem for us. We are convinced that Malaysia can further strengthen its position as a technology country and will develop its position in the region as a high-tech manufacturing hub in Asia,” he said in a media conference here on Thursday.
Besides that, Schroeder explained that the close proximity to main customers, availability in the supply chain, logistics infrastructure (sea, airports and road networks), stable utility infrastructure and profound semiconductor competencies since decades ago were among the contributing factors for picking Malaysia.
He said the facility, which will have a shop floor area of 100,000 square metres, is expected to bring in 2,000 high-tech machines producing Ajinomoto Build-up Film (ABF) substrate for high-performance processors.
By 2024, he said the factory is anticipated to have 4,500 blue-collar employees and 1,500 white-collar employees, of whom the majority will be Malaysians who can work in a highly-sophisticated environment.
Meanwhile, AT&S chief executive officer Andreas Gerstenmaye said the support given to the company by Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) throughout the entire process since the start of its location scouting, has also contributed to the decision to set up its latest factory here.
He said AT&S will establish a completely new manufacturing facility for high-tech products and undertake extensive research and development activities in Malaysia.
“AT&S is also looking to forge cooperation and partnerships with leading universities in Malaysia. These partnerships will not only help us to discover new paths for the microelectronics industry but also make an important contribution to the development of extensive know-how in various areas of the microelectronics industry in this country,” said Gerstenmaye.
Apart from this, he said the factory also aims to have a carbon neutral environment by 2030, use of recycled wastewater, recycle precious metals like palladium, gold and copper, as well as adopt renewable energy concept with photovoltaic park and develop production machine supplier to support energy- and water reduction programme, amongst others.
AT&S which is headquartered in Austria has a global presence with production sites in Leoben, Fehring in Austria, and plants in India (Nanjangud), China (Shanghai, Chongqing) and South Korea (Ansan near Seoul).
The company employs about 12,000 people.
Source: Bernama
