-New Facility Will Help AMD Nearly Double its Output in the Next Three Years, Meet Growing Demand for AMD64 Processors and Achieve Aggressive Growth Objectives-
DRESDEN, Germany-Oct. 14, 2005-At a ceremony attended by top German
government officials and leaders from across the semiconductor industry,
AMD (NYSE: AMD) today announced the grand opening of its 300 millimeter
(mm) Fab 36 in Dresden, Germany.
"The on-schedule, on-plan opening of Fab 36 is the latest achievement in
AMD's growing track record of flawless execution on our manufacturing
strategies and goals," said Hector Ruiz, chairman of the board,
president and chief executive officer of AMD. "In AMD Fab 30, using our
patented Automated Precision Manufacturing (APM) capabilities, we have
had tremendous success in rapidly transitioning to new technology
generations and quickly achieving mature yields. Fab 36 is designed to
continue this rock-solid consistency, ensuring we can effectively and
efficiently meet the growing demand for AMD 64-bit solutions worldwide."
With the production ramp in Fab 36 progressing on schedule, the company
intends to make 90nm production shipments in the first quarter of 2006
and begin 65nm production by the end of 2006. AMD has set a goal to be
substantially converted to 65nm in Fab 36 by mid-2007.
Capacity gained through the use of larger 300mm wafers, combined with
the speed and efficiencies enabled by APM, plays a fundamental role in
the company's growth plans for the next several years. Now in its third
generation, APM consists of hundreds of AMD patented and patent-pending
technologies that dynamically and automatically optimize fab operations.
This unique automated decision-making capability has allowed AMD to
accelerate its responsiveness to customer needs, more quickly transition
to new technologies, improve quality and operate at increasing levels of
efficiency.
AMD plans to add production output on a steady year-to-year basis,
giving it the potential to ship as many as 100 million units in 2008,
while also keeping fab utilization at consistently high levels. This
will help AMD meet growing demand for its award-winning AMD64 processors
and achieve its objectives of capturing a significantly larger share of
the x86 microprocessor market in the coming years.
"Fab 36 represents the pinnacle of AMD manufacturing and technology
innovation," said Daryl Ostrander, senior vice president, logic
technology and manufacturing, Microprocessor Solutions Sector. "With our
pioneering automation capabilities, state-of-the-art submicron process
technologies developed in partnership with IBM, and the unique talents
of our employees around the world, we can consistently deliver on our
promises to customers now and in the future."
After extensive due diligence, AMD chose to build Fab 36 in Dresden
based on the successful track record of AMD Fab 30, the financial
incentives package provided by the Free State of Saxony and Federal
Republic of Germany, and the large number of talented engineering and
technical personnel in the region.
"Our employees are the true foundation of our competitiveness," said
Hans Deppe, corporate vice president and general manager of AMD in
Dresden (Fab 30 and Fab 36). "Because of their spirit and dedication,
we have progressed from the ground breaking of Fab 36 to its grand
opening in less than 24 months. Further, we accomplished this while
simultaneously operating Fab 30 at top performance and efficiency
levels."
AMD's presence in Dresden has been a tremendous mutual success for the
company, the Free State of Saxony, Germany and the European Union.
AMD's investment in the region, one of the largest foreign investments
in Germany within the last decade, has created approximately 7,000
direct and indirect jobs in Saxony and the surrounding regions. It has
been instrumental in establishing Dresden as the thriving center for
semiconductor innovation in the EU.
About AMD
AMD (NYSE:AMD) designs and produces innovative microprocessors, Flash
memory devices and low-power processor solutions for the computer,
communications and consumer electronics industries. AMD is dedicated to
helping its customers deliver standards-based, customer-focused
solutions for technology users, ranging from enterprises and governments
to individual consumers. For more information, visit http://www.amd.com
; good find though, as I've seen it on several different sites today. one thing that's got me thinking though: is a smaller process really better? I'm wondering because I really don't know. Plus I am curious as to whether it'll bump up the thermal properties (W) and thermal spec. The Germans can chalk another one up on the board with this, and I wouldn't have it any other way, as we all know fairly well they can produce good, high-quality parts with strict attention to QC and TQM standards.