“Financial incentives now available are going to accelerate even further since Pure Wafer is the No. 1 most advanced wafer reclaim company in the nation,” said Sidhwa.
Ardy Sidhwa, Ph.D., Pure Wafer vice president of operations, in exclusive comments to Flagstaff Business News, said the company is making a multimillion-dollar investment in finding better, more efficient and faster ways to keep up with increasing national and international demands. The 50,000-square-foot plant, located at 2575 Melville Road on the east side of Prescott Regional Airport, has been producing wafers and reclaimed wafers for microchip industries since 1998. Yet, many local residents are unaware of the company’s operation, even with rapid expansion.
Sidhwa and Pure Wafer CEO S. Mark Borowicz are excited about the opportunities now opening because of the growing semiconductor renaissance in Arizona.
Sidhwa cited the CHIPS and Science Acts of 2022, signed on Aug. 9, which is expected to add manufacturing jobs and allow American manufacturing, supply chains and research and development throughout the U.S. to add $50 billion in investments to American semiconductor manufacturing.
Further, the CHIPS Act legislation is expected to drive down chip costs further and should lower the costs for products in which chips and wafers are used.
Sidhwa emphasized that chips and semiconductors are “the tiny brains found in all sorts of contemporary products, ranging from computers and automobiles to household appliances and weapons systems.”
Sidhwa was even more enthusiastic about Pure Wafer’s growing business in life sciences, photonics and micro-electromagnetic systems when it acquired NOEL Technologies. It is a Silicon Valley foundry that serves as a developer of innovative semiconductor and biochips. The company fills the innovation gap, often serving as an extension of research and development.
He said, “More and more scientists and medical personnel are finding creative applications for microchips and biochips that can be then used to help people find remedies and tackle diseases that ultimately improve quality of life. Use of semiconductor technology applications through artificial intelligence applications are astounding. We’re generations ahead of where we were 10 years ago.”
He stressed that what’s really significant is that such applications are now more approved at the international level.
“What we want to do in Prescott is to expand our production, even as much as 20 to 40%. At the same time, we’re improving efficiency of production of what we are manufacturing, For instance, we’ve become more efficient in use of water. Same thing with chemicals. Same thing with electricity. We are reducing emissions and pollution dramatically. We take great pride in having absolute purified air and sterile water.”
Increased production will permit Pure Wafer to add to its already large customer base of 1,600 integrated device manufacturers (IDM) and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
The company has a growing client base throughout North America, Asia and Europe.
Arizona State University (ASU) President Michel Crow is also an advocate for expanding the semiconductor business in the state. He said that ASU is well positioned to provide the skilled talent needed, with 30,000 students currently enrolled in the engineering school.
Sidhwa admits that finding good labor is sometimes difficult. Because Pure Wafer operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and because it is expanding so rapidly, recruiting reliable labor is a continual challenge. Additionally, because Pure Wafer has its original plant in Prescott and another two fabrication plants in San Jose and Campbell, California, called Noel Technologies, labor demands continue to increase, Sidhwa said. Last month’s report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the creation of 528,000 new jobs.
Pure Wafer is offering short- and long-term insurance plans, disability plans, medical insurance, on-the-job training and professional advancement opportunities to attract skilled workers.
“Financial incentives now available are going to accelerate even further since Pure Wafer is the No. 1 most advanced wafer reclaim company in the nation,” said Sidhwa. “We’re proud of that.” FBN
By Ray Newton, FBN
This is promising news for the industries that rely on microchip wafers and those that may wish to implement these moving forward. Great information shared!