Chinese electronic software giant Wingtech Technology announced on Monday that its subsidiary Nexperia has acquired the UK’s biggest chip plant Newport Wafer Fab (NWF) to boost global production capacity. Nexperia has obtained the 100 per cent ownership of the Welsh semiconductor production facility and had decided to rename as Nexperia Newport. The financial details of the deal were not disclosed, but it is worth around $87 million, according to reports.
According to Newport, its current capacity is over 35,000,200 mm wafer starts per month covering a wide range of semiconductor technologies ranging from MOSFETs and Trench IGBTs. It is expected to support Nexperia’s strategic 10 billion USD growth ambition and enhance its product lines in IGBT, analog and compound semiconductors. The company said this acquisition has significantly enhanced the automotive qualified product supply capability and its market share of Nexperia.
“We are very excited to include Newport as part of our global manufacturing footprint. Nexperia has ambitious growth plans and adding Newport supports the growing global demand for semiconductors. The Newport facility has a very skilled operational team and has a crucial role to play to ensure continuity of operations. We look forward to building a future together,” said Achim Kempe, COO, Nexperia in a statement.
Nexperia is a customer foundry services offered by Newport Wafer Fab and has become its second biggest shareholder in 2019. The Newport site complements Nexperia’s other European manufacturing operations in Manchester and Hamburg. Nexperia said it will continue to have strong position in the Welsh ecosystem and technology development and will secure the current jobs at the Newport site.
Drew Nelson, departing chairman Newport said,“The change in ownership of the Newport site marks an important step for the future of the facility as well as for the region. We are pleased that we are able to maintain the expertise in developing high end silicon devices in the 200 mm wafer fab while at the same time opening up opportunities for us to add new semiconductor technologies.” a
However several reports state the purchase could invite scrutiny from the UK government.
