A groundbreaking ceremony for the new Applied Materials Operations Center at Changi North Industrial Park in Singapore took place earlier today, and saw the attendance of several Applied Materials executives, including Mike Splinter, company President and CEO. Chairman of the Singapore Economic Development Board Lim Siong Guan and U.S. Ambassador Patricia Herbold were also present for the ceremony.
The new 32,000 square meter operations facility will be completed in late 2009 and will serve as a hub for the company’s activities throughout Asia. The new facility will house operations including global purchasing, sales, manufacturing, engineering and financial groups for both the chip and solar industries. Applied currently has approximately 400 employees in Singapore.
The facility will be designed to meet some of the most stringent green building standards in the world. Applied Materials also announced that it is to sponsor the Environment Education Hub at the local Marsiling Secondary School.
“Sitting at a virtual crossroads between India and China, Singapore has proven to be a friendly and great place to do business with its strong transportation and logistics network, extensive supplier base and talented workforce,” said Mike Splinter, President and CEO of Applied Materials. “Our state-of-the-art campus will showcase our commitment to the environment while bringing enhanced capabilities closer to our customers throughout Asia.”
By Síle Mc Mahon