Semiconductors have been enjoying an unaccustomed turn in the media spotlight since the recent shortage that forced many automakers to slow or suspend production.

The latest news on the semiconductor scene is that Nexperia, an expert in the high-volume production of essential semiconductors, has acquired Newport Wafer Fab, which operates a semiconductor production facility in Wales.

Nexperia is a customer of Newport Wafer Fab’s foundry services, and became its second-largest shareholder in 2019. The company’s Newport site complements Nexperia’s other European manufacturing operations in Manchester and Hamburg, which have also seen significant recent investments.

The Newport semiconductor production site has a capacity of over 35,000 200 mm wafer starts per month, covering a wide range of semiconductor technologies ranging from MOSFETs and Trench IGBTs using wafer thinning methods to CMOS, analog and compound semiconductors.

This acquisition is expected to significantly enhance Nexperia’s supply capacity and market share in automotive-qualified semiconductors.

“Nexperia has ambitious growth plans and adding Newport supports the growing global demand for semiconductors,” said Nexperia COO Achim Kempe. “The Newport facility has a very skilled operational team and has a crucial role to play to ensure continuity of operations.”

Source: Nexperia