Vishay to Invest £51 Million in Acquired NWF Wafer Fab

Vishay Intertechnology, a renowned manufacturer of discrete semiconductors and passive components, has announced a significant investment of £51 million in the Newport Wafer Fab (NWF) located in Wales. This investment follows the recent acquisition of NWF from Nexperia (formerly NXP Semiconductors) earlier this year.

The investment, which is supported by a £5 million contribution from the Welsh Government, aims to expand the facility's production capabilities, particularly in power devices and the transition to silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductors. Prior to its acquisition by Nexperia, Newport Wafer Fab operated a small GaN (gallium nitride) wafer fab.

In addition to Vishay's investment, U.S.-based company KLA is also making a significant move in the region. KLA is building its new European headquarters at Newport’s Imperial Park, following its acquisition of SPTS Technologies, a semiconductor equipment manufacturer under Orbotech. The £100 million development project will establish a state-of-the-art R&D and manufacturing facility, including cleanrooms for both research and production. KLA is currently hiring up to 750 employees for this expansion.

Furthermore, the nearby Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult (CSAC) in Newport has launched a £1.6 million compound semiconductor packaging and testing line, contributing to the region's growing semiconductor ecosystem.

Microlink Devices and CS Connected are among the first tenants of the Cardiff Gate Innovation Centre, a 51,000-square-foot facility designed to foster semiconductor innovation. Additionally, a £2.5 million net-zero emissions research project, in collaboration with the Swansea University Semiconductor Materials Centre, is exploring ways to reduce carbon emissions in the semiconductor industry.

Rebecca Evans, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy, and Planning, commented on the importance of compound semiconductors: "Compound semiconductors are everywhere – in our homes, smartphones, trains, and turbines. They are an integral part of the modern world, and despite their size, the global growth prospects are incredibly strong. Wales is rapidly becoming a world leader in their production and manufacturing."

Evans further emphasized the long-term strategy behind these investments: "After a decade of nurturing the cluster, we are now seeing the returns on our commitments and will continue to push forward with this vision."

Looking ahead, Wales is also preparing to host a visit from a Canadian semiconductor company in spring 2025, further solidifying its position as a hub for semiconductor innovation and manufacturing in Europe.