The newest 300-millimeter semiconductor wafer fabrication plant in Richardson started initial production of analog chips, which are used in electronics ranging from “renewable energy sources to electric vehicles.”
Texas Instruments announced last week that production was underway, with plans to bring levels to some 100 million analog chips every day, according to the website.
RFAB2 is one of six that TI is opening, and it is physically connected to RFAB1, already at work in Richardson. Fifteen miles of automated, overhead delivery systems will seamlessly move wafers between the two facilities — known as “fabs” — once fully built out, according to TI.
“Having these two fabs connected within one manufacturing site in Richardson provides great operational efficiencies and scale, allowing us to better support our customers,” said Kyle Flessner, senior vice president of the Technology and Manufacturing group. “This is an exciting time for our employees and all of North Texas as we continue to build semiconductor manufacturing excellence together.”
The new plant is 630,000 square feet, 30 percent larger than the company’s existing wafer plant that began production in 2010. Company executives have said the new plant could bring in $5 billion annually in additional revenue, reported The Dallas Morning News.
TI planned to invest $3.1 billion in the new facility, according to documents filed with the state. The Texas Enterprise Fund will provide TI with a $5.1 million grant when it creates the 488 jobs promised in its application, the newspaper said.
There is also a fab in Dallas and one opening soon in Utah; Sherman will be home to four with construction underway.
