December 2nd, 2024 — Vishay Intertechnology, a global leader in the design, manufacture, and sale of discrete semiconductors and passive electronic components, has announced a significant £51 million (approximately $61.2 million EUR) investment in its Newport Vishay semiconductor facility in Wales. This investment, supported by a £5 million grant from the Welsh Government, will introduce new product capabilities, create skilled jobs, and further solidify Wales’ position as a leading player in the global semiconductor industry.
The investment follows Vishay’s acquisition of the formerly known Newport Wafer Fab in March 2024, saving over 400 jobs. This latest injection of capital will expand the facility’s research and development capabilities and bring new compound semiconductor power conversion technologies to market.
The Welsh Government highlighted this investment as a key success story, showcasing the region’s growing semiconductor cluster. This cluster is further strengthened by other recent developments, including the construction of KLA’s new European headquarters in Newport, creating up to 750 jobs, and the opening of Centre 7, a state-of-the-art facility attracting companies like Microlink Devices and CS Connected.
The Newport Vishay facility, the UK’s largest semiconductor manufacturer, produces chips used in a vast array of electronic products, from smartphones and household appliances to automobiles. The plant’s future had been uncertain following a UK government-mandated sale from its previous owners due to national security concerns related to Chinese ownership. Vishay’s acquisition and subsequent investment represent a significant boost to the Welsh economy and demonstrate the region’s attractiveness to major international investors in the technology sector. The Welsh Conservatives have also welcomed the investment, praising it as a positive development for Wales’ manufacturing sector.
The investment underscores the importance of the semiconductor industry to both the Welsh and UK economies, highlighting the strategic importance of securing and developing domestic manufacturing capabilities in this critical technology sector.
