Leaders Call Advanced Manufacturing Driver of U.S. Economy at GLOBALFOUNDRIES Symposium

MALTA, N.Y., May 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- GLOBALFOUNDRIES today hosted a panel exploring the future of advanced manufacturing in the United States. Nationally recognized Dow Jones reporter Shara Tibken moderated the discussion, during which several panelists called investment in high-tech manufacturing critical to the success of the U.S. economy. As one of the largest new capital investments in upstate New York in decades, the GLOBALFOUNDRIES Fab 8 project offers a model for the broader U.S. economy in building high-tech manufacturing.

"GLOBALFOUNDRIES has been a key driver in helping bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S.," said GLOBALFOUNDRIES CEO Ajit Manocha. "But none of that is possible without innovative public-private partnerships that support new advanced manufacturing operations like our leading-edge Fab 8 plant."

The GLOBALFOUNDRIES Fab 8 project is the first leading-edge semiconductor foundry to be built in the U.S. in decades and one of the largest new manufacturing projects in North America. The project is a key driver in the development of upstate New York's Tech Valley and a prime example of how advanced manufacturing can help boost the American economy. 

As the panelists discussed, advanced manufacturing is critical to positioning the United States in the global economy.  Since breaking ground on Fab 8 in 2009, GLOBALFOUNDRIES has created more than 1,300 new direct jobs with the project, developing a unique and diverse workforce drawn from local talent in the region as well as experienced professionals from across the United States and more than 25 countries.

The panel also highlighted the vital role that state and federal lawmakers play in the development of economic policies and the need to focus on creating the right regulatory climate, tax structure and priorities for investments in infrastructure and R&D. 

In addition to Ajit Manocha, the panelists included:

• Heather Briccetti, President, Business Council of NY
• Johanna Duncan-Poitier, Senior Vice Chancellor, Community Colleges and The Education Pipeline
• Leecia Eve, Governor Cuomo's Deputy, Secretary for Economic Development
• Ken Gabriel, Director, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
• Congressman Chris Gibson, (NY-20)
• Congressman Paul Tonko (NY-21)
• Brian Toohey, President, US Semiconductor Industry Association

Immediately after the discussion, GLOBALFOUNDRIES provided a bus tour of the high-tech Fab 8 grounds, which was followed by a reception at the Fab 8 plant where experts from local economic development entities made a presentation on the regional growth in Tech Valley.

The event took place from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Hudson Valley Community College TEC-SMART campus in NYSERDA's Saratoga Technology And Energy Park (STEP) on Hermes Road, adjacent to the GLOBALFOUNDRIES Fab 8 site in Malta, NY. 

ABOUT GLOBALFOUNDRIES 
GLOBALFOUNDRIES is the world's first full-service semiconductor foundry with a truly global footprint. Launched in March 2009, the company has quickly achieved scale as one of the largest foundries in the world, providing a unique combination of advanced technology and manufacturing to more than 150 customers. With operations in Singapore, Germany and the United States, GLOBALFOUNDRIES is the only foundry that offers the flexibility and security of manufacturing centers spanning three continents. The company's three 300mm fabs and five 200mm fabs provide the full range of process technologies from mainstream to the leading edge. This global manufacturing footprint is supported by major facilities for research, development and design enablement located near hubs of semiconductor activity in the United States, Europe and Asia. GLOBALFOUNDRIES is owned by the Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC). For more information, visit http://www.globalfoundries.com.

SOURCE GLOBALFOUNDRIES