SPTS, KLA’s Wales-based product division, has been leading semiconductor equipment innovation in Wales since 1984, winning multiple Queen’s Awards for excellence in R&D and export, and attracting strong technical talent to the region.
The new facility will bring a further 750 high-skilled jobs to Newport, which is home to the UK’s compound semiconductor cluster, further cementing the city’s place at the heart of the southeast Wales investment zone.
The new 237,000-square-foot facility provides additional production and customer collaboration spaces, including 25,000 square feet of R&D clean rooms, 35,000 square feet of state-of-the-art manufacturing space and tool demo areas.
This is all designed to support development of semiconductor process technologies across advanced packaging, power devices, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), radio frequency (RF) and photonics sector technology.
“People ask why I’m bullish on Newport’s future. Well, this is why,” said Councillor Dimitri Batrouni, leader of the council.
“KLA’s new $138m world-class facility will bring 750 skilled, high-paying jobs to our city, to build the machines that make the chips powering the AI revolution, around 98 per cent of which are exported.
“This is the future of advanced manufacturing, right on our doorstep, and it is proof of KLA’s belief that Newport is the perfect place to do business.”
“Last week’s opening was a fantastic celebration of what our city has to offer,” said Beverly Owen, chief executive of the council.
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome KLA’s further investment into Newport, into our city and our people.
“The council has worked closely with the team at KLA throughout as this investment has come to fruition.
“Not only will this bring great employment and economic benefits, it will also further enhance our standing as a hub for global businesses, and our reputation as a place to do business.”
