The ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the first such facility in the United States dedicated to this stage of chip production, a key step in making the semiconductors that power technologies ranging from AI servers to smartphones.
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The center is operated by Japanese chemical company Resonac, which opened the Union City facility after four years of planning. ABC7 Eyewitness News was given an exclusive tour of the site, which is expected to bring cutting-edge work to the Bay Area.
"We hope it's not only going to benefit the customer and the companies that use those chips but it's also going to bring more jobs to Silicon Valley and to Union City," said Gloria Ortega, the city's economic development manager.
The work inside the facility focuses on how chips are assembled, a segment of the supply chain the United States has been seeking to strengthen as demand for artificial intelligence technology grows.
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Resonac President and CEO Hidehito Takahashi said the decision to locate the center in Silicon Valley was driven by the region's pace and culture.
"Silicon Valley has this unique atmosphere of fast-paced work compared to, let's say, Japan, which is a little slower," Takahashi said. "So we would like to have it here so that we can do our fast-paced turnaround for hyperscalers."
Takahashi described the opening as "a milestone in industry," as representatives from Union City, the Governor's Office and Japan attended the event. Speakers highlighted the partnership between the United States and Japan as both nations compete in the global chip race.
"We really hope this facility will foster our exchange of new ideas and technology between the United States and Japan and fostering the bond of our two countries," Takahashi said.
The new center positions Union City as a player in the worldwide race to develop and support advanced semiconductor technology.