Intel Foundry Wins First Named Customer

According to Intel, cybersecurity company Fortinet will use Intel Foundry services to manufacture its next-generation SP6 security chips, marking the first publicly disclosed named foundry customer since Lip-Bu Tan became Intel’s CEO in March 2025. The agreement represents a key step for Intel as it continues efforts to attract major external customers for its semiconductor manufacturing business.

Intel representatives told CNBC that Fortinet’s SP6 chips will be produced using Intel 4 process technology. While Intel 4 is not the company’s most advanced manufacturing node, ranking behind newer technologies such as 18A and 14A, it is a mature process well suited for application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) used in networking and security equipment.

Intel has been actively seeking high-profile customers for its most advanced manufacturing technologies. In a regulatory filing in April, the company acknowledged that securing a major customer for its leading-edge processes remains a priority to demonstrate the long-term value of its significant investments in semiconductor fabs across the United States and overseas. A major foundry partnership could strengthen confidence among chip designers and investors in Intel’s ability to achieve high-volume production of advanced semiconductors.

During a CNBC interview in May, Lip-Bu Tan said that multiple customers were already working with Intel Foundry but declined to reveal their names due to personal principles. Currently, Intel’s largest confirmed foundry customer remains Intel itself, while the U.S. government is also leveraging Intel’s manufacturing capacity for defense-related chips.

Under former CEO Pat Gelsinger, Intel announced several foundry collaborations. Microsoft revealed in 2024 that it had selected Intel to manufacture an undisclosed processor, while Amazon also stated that it would use Intel Foundry to produce custom AI chips. However, those projects have remained relatively limited in scale.

In addition, Intel announced in April that it was working with Google on the design of an Infrastructure Processing Unit (IPU) ASIC. The company is also supporting Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk’s efforts to develop the “Terafab” semiconductor manufacturing facility. In June, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Apple would use chips manufactured by Intel in the United States, although neither Intel nor Apple has officially confirmed such an agreement.

Although Fortinet does not have the same global recognition as companies such as Apple, Tesla, or major cloud service providers, the cybersecurity company is benefiting from rising demand for advanced security solutions driven by artificial intelligence adoption. Fortinet’s stock price has more than doubled this year, and the company said during its May earnings call that it would continue investing in ASIC technology development.

Following the U.S. government’s acquisition of a 10% stake in Intel in August 2024, Intel shares have gained more than 300% over the past year. Investors are expected to closely monitor updates on Intel Foundry’s customer pipeline, capital spending plans, and advanced process technology progress when Intel releases its second-quarter financial results on July 23 after market close.