GlobalWafers America Partners with Apple in Semiconductor Supply Chain Boost
GlobalWafers America, the US-based subsidiary of Taiwanese GlobalWafers, has forged a partnership with tech giant Apple to provide 300mm silicon wafers for its iPhone and iPad products, aiming to strengthen the local semiconductor supply ecosystem.
These silicon wafers play a crucial role in chip production, encompassing cutting-edge, mature-node, and memory semiconductors.
The manufacturing and distribution of these wafers will take place at GlobalWafers’ facility in Sherman, Texas, as announced in a press release on Friday.
Under the Trump administration, GlobalWafers America is the sole global supplier of advanced 300mm wafers participating in the CHIPS for America Program.
Recently, Reuters disclosed that the company received a funding allocation of slightly over $200 million from the US CHIPS Act in June, reflecting about half of the previous year’s grant.
Expressing optimism, President Mark England stated, ‘For decades, high-tech silicon wafer manufacturing largely moved out of the US in pursuit of cost savings. Our collaboration with Apple, a primary consumer of silicon, sends a resounding message that the entire semiconductor supply chain is making a robust return to America.’
Chairwoman Doris Hsu added, ‘The iPhone and iPad are recognized worldwide, and it’s gratifying that silicon from GlobalWafers America will feature in many of these renowned products. We are privileged to partner with Apple and its top-tier suppliers to revitalize semiconductor manufacturing in the US.’
According to Apple’s COO Sabih Khan, this joint effort exemplifies the company’s dedication to domestic manufacturing, with a commitment to invest $600 billion in the US in the next quartet of years.
‘Through our fresh American Manufacturing Program, we are enthusiastic about collaborating with firms like GlobalWafers America to generate employment opportunities and further enhance manufacturing in America,’ Khan remarked. ‘This initiative is part of our $600 billion investment plan in the US and underscores our anticipation of groundbreaking American innovations.’
The alliance occurs amid the US government’s sustained backing of the semiconductor industry through initiatives like the expanded Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit and amendments to the CHIPS for America Program.
With a portfolio spanning 18 operational sites across three continents and nine nations, GlobalWafers asserts its position as the third-largest global provider of semiconductor wafers.
