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jrw1617
It's funny, I did not see anyone mention that Intel is basically forced to build ...
Charles.Desassure
Thanks for your article. I think Intel management has proving why they are ...
Intel confirms new Oregon R&D fab
Dylan McGrath
10/19/2010 11:53 AM EDT
SAN FRANCISCO—Intel Corp. has confirmed speculation that it will build a new R&D wafer fab in Hillsboro, Ore., and upgrade other existing U.S. facilities for 22-nm production at a total investment of between $6 billion and $8 billion.
The investment will create 800 to 1,000 permanent high-tech jobs and 6,000 to 8,000 construction jobs, Intel (Santa Clara, Calif.) said. The new development fab in Oregon, to be known as D1X, is slated for R&D startup in 2013.
Speculation that Intel was plotting a new fab at its Ronler Acres campus in Hillsboro has been building for weeks. Some speculated that the facility would be a 300-mm or even 450-mm production fab, but Intel described the facility as a development fab in an announcement Tuesday (Oct. 19).
In addition to the development fab, the investment includes upgrades to four existing facilities: Fab 12 and Fab 32 in Arizona and D1C and D1D in Oregon.
Intel has been one of a handful of companies pushing for the development of production equipment for 450-mm wafers. Though some development of these tools is taking place, most believe it will be several years before a transition to the new wafer size. Others don't believe it will ever happen.
"Today’s announcement reflects the next tranche of the continued advancement of Moore’s Law and a further commitment to invest in the future of Intel and America," said Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini, in a statement. "The most immediate impact of our multi-billion-dollar investment will be the thousands of jobs associated with building a new fab and upgrading four others, and the high-wage, high-tech manufacturing jobs that follow."
Intel's new capital expenditure follows a U.S. investment announcement made in February 2009 to support state-of-the-art upgrades to its manufacturing process. Those upgrades resulted in 32-nm process technology.
Intel’s first 22nm microprocessors, codenamed "Ivy Bridge," will be in production in late 2011, according to the company.
The investment will create 800 to 1,000 permanent high-tech jobs and 6,000 to 8,000 construction jobs, Intel (Santa Clara, Calif.) said. The new development fab in Oregon, to be known as D1X, is slated for R&D startup in 2013.
Speculation that Intel was plotting a new fab at its Ronler Acres campus in Hillsboro has been building for weeks. Some speculated that the facility would be a 300-mm or even 450-mm production fab, but Intel described the facility as a development fab in an announcement Tuesday (Oct. 19).
In addition to the development fab, the investment includes upgrades to four existing facilities: Fab 12 and Fab 32 in Arizona and D1C and D1D in Oregon.
Intel has been one of a handful of companies pushing for the development of production equipment for 450-mm wafers. Though some development of these tools is taking place, most believe it will be several years before a transition to the new wafer size. Others don't believe it will ever happen.
"Today’s announcement reflects the next tranche of the continued advancement of Moore’s Law and a further commitment to invest in the future of Intel and America," said Intel President and CEO Paul Otellini, in a statement. "The most immediate impact of our multi-billion-dollar investment will be the thousands of jobs associated with building a new fab and upgrading four others, and the high-wage, high-tech manufacturing jobs that follow."
Intel's Ronler Acres campus in Hillsboro, Ore.
Photo credit: M.O. Stevens, sourced through Wikimedia Commons.
Photo credit: M.O. Stevens, sourced through Wikimedia Commons.
Intel's new capital expenditure follows a U.S. investment announcement made in February 2009 to support state-of-the-art upgrades to its manufacturing process. Those upgrades resulted in 32-nm process technology.
Intel’s first 22nm microprocessors, codenamed "Ivy Bridge," will be in production in late 2011, according to the company.
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selinz
10/19/2010 2:47 PM EDT
It's not clear from this announcement how much of the 6-8 million will go toward the new R&D plant and how much will go toward upgrading their other fabs, but it's clear that Intel is continuing their strategic investments and continues to be a shining star in the US tech world.
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lakehermit
10/19/2010 5:01 PM EDT
It is interesting that they are building the new fab in Oregon. What about California? Can it be that the business climate created by California's politicians have driven them away from the state? Could they have plans to move their HQ out of Santa Clara?
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daleste
10/19/2010 5:48 PM EDT
I would think that building a fab in California would be more expensive than Portland, but if that was the only concern, other parts of the country could be more economical. Earthquakes that occur on the west coast could be very costly to a fab.
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phoenixdave
10/19/2010 6:48 PM EDT
Before the Arizona politicos that are running for re-election in a few weeks get a hold of this news and start twisting the facts, I would like to have everyone's opinions as to where the new jobs will be created.
My opinion is that the new fab in Oregon will absorb the majority of the new permanent jobs, and that Arizona will see very little increase in hiring, if any, as a result of the planned upgrades...
Comments???
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Scott.Campbell_#12
10/20/2010 10:28 AM EDT
The Oregonian newspaper reports that 800+ researchers and technicians will be hired between Oregon and Arizona with the bulk of them being in Oregon. I don't know about Arizona but the technicians hired in Oregon are predominately non benefit temps that are only allowed to work for a year before being subject to layoff for at least 6 months. Not very steady employment.
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Narutolili
10/19/2010 9:41 PM EDT
"continued advancement of the Moore's Law"!
As far as I know ,22 nonameter is the ultimate which means the end of Intel or TSMC.How can they advance the Moore's Law anymore?
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resistion
10/19/2010 10:18 PM EDT
If D1X is to start up in 2013, that is too late for 15 nm (already in production). Even 11 nm (2015) would be cutting it close. It would have to be beyond 11 nm, which is most likely new transistor architectures.
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phoenixdave
10/20/2010 12:16 AM EDT
@resistion: Where is 15nm currently in production?
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dylan.mcgrath
10/20/2010 1:01 AM EDT
I think resistion is saying that 15-nm would already be in production by 2013... It certainly is not in production now.
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PHW_#1
10/20/2010 3:42 AM EDT
I will hope to see more "manufacutring" jobs created in US no matter in CA, OR or AZ. $8B is a big investment, there are quite a few of places in the world will pay $8B to have Intel build a fab in their countries and tax-free in Paul's lifetime. I will hope US politians can start thinking how to keep manuafacturing jobs in US, whatever it takes to keep jobs in USA, not to push "profitable" companies going abroad by taxing them. Give Intel's Tax back so they can create more jobs in US. Give companies incentives to stay in US, not penalty for going abroad. Intel happened to dominate 90% CPU market w/ technology lead so they can afford such uncompetitive US manufacturing environment. How about the smart phone-iphone we use today? I don't recall much of the content made in USA. One of these days smart phones start replacing PC, what kind of jobs will be left in USA? My best wishes for Intel. Also wish Apple/Google can create some real manufacturing jobs in USA. They do earn majority money from US consumers and their profit is really good, much better than Intel.
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greenpattern
10/20/2010 11:46 AM EDT
6-8 billion is not much different from their 32 nm upgrade (7 billion) so I think the R&D D1X will not be the bulk of the spending. I.e., no 450 mm. Probably a lot of characterization equipment.
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daleste
10/20/2010 11:57 AM EDT
The upgrade of the production fabs would include new tools for many lines in the fabs where the R&D fab would only be one set of equipment for a pilot line to start building the new process. I can see how the upgrades will be more money than a single 450mm line.
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greenpattern
10/20/2010 12:21 PM EDT
True, that's a good point. I was just thinking, even one 450 mm line might cost a lot, just simple-mindedly going by proportion to footprint.
Which node was Intel planning 450 mm for? I don't think 15 nm or 11 nm. I don't think anything conventional beyond 11 nm as we would expect from Si wafer processing.
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Charles.Desassure
10/21/2010 1:21 AM EDT
Thanks for your article. I think Intel management has proving why they are leaders in their market. The selection of Hillsboro, Ore. is a good location for a R&D center. Why would Intel want to build in California when the cost of living is higher and that state has one of the highest home foreclosure rates in the Country? Also, with advance technology, you don’t have to be physically in California to be a key player in that State. Intel is during the right thing. When you are a leader, you set standards, you don’t follow the crowd. What a wise decision by Intel.
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jrw1617
3/2/2011 1:01 AM EST
It's funny, I did not see anyone mention that Intel is basically forced to build advanced FABs in the U.S. because they are restricted due to US export control regulations. Just a few years ago (less than 3yrs ago), no technology smaller than 65nm could be sent outside the US by a US company. Companies based in other countries of course could develop the technology on their own (i.e. Samsung, TSMC, etc.).
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