Brian/all, UMC to spend 3B to build new fab to keep up with Taiwan Semiconductor. Jeff
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Story Filed: Thursday, July 15, 1999 1:26 PM EST
TAIPEI, Taiwan, Jul 15, 1999 (BUSINESS WIRE via COMTEX) --
Also Announces Decision to Invest US$3 Billion to Construct a 12-Inch Wafer Fab in the Tainan Science-Based Industrial Park
United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) announced today the appointment of Peter Chang as CEO of foundry operations for UMC Group. Peter Chang is currently president of UMC Group company United Semiconductor Corporation (USC), and his appointment is an important step in the consolidation of the 5 Taiwan-based UMC Group foundry companies.
In his first major decision since taking his new position, Peter Chang announced UMC Group's decision to start construction of a 12-inch wafer fab in the newly opened Tainan Science-based Industrial Park. Total investment for the fab is expected to reach US$3 billion, and construction of the facility will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2000.
Peter Chang is one of the most renowned US-trained semiconductor professionals that returned to build up Taiwan's fledgling IC industry, at a time when many people doubted the feasibility of developing a domestic high technology industry. As fab manager for UMC, and later as president of USC, Peter Chang's contributions have been instrumental in the phenomenal growth of semiconductor technology in Taiwan and in UMC Group's development as one of the world's largest semiconductor foundries.
"The appointment of Peter Chang as CEO of foundry operations at UMC Group will be welcomed by our customers and employees. His professionalism during his association with UMC Group has set the benchmark for foundry management worldwide. We believe that his appointment and the decision to start construction on our first 12-inch wafer fab are clear signs of our commitment to customers, as well as our confidence in the long-term strength of the fabless/foundry model," said Bob Tsao, chairman of UMC Group(USA).
Peter Chang said, "I am excited about this new challenge and strongly believe that the consolidation of our operations in Taiwan will allow UMC Group to create even greater competitive advantages for our many foundry customers around the world. We believe that continued investment in state-of-the-art facilities is the best way to respond to our customers needs for advanced technology foundry services, and our decision to start construction of a 12-inch wafer fab is clearly directed at meeting those needs."
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