INNOVATION CHARGES UP IN OAKVILLE
Last week, it was announced that Siemens Canada would invest $150 million to introduce a new Global AI Manufacturing Technologies R&D Center for Battery Production on the site of its Oakville headquarters in Ontario. The new facility will aim to develop new AI manufacturing technologies beginning with a focus on battery and EV production. “The establishment of a Global AI Manufacturing Technologies R&D Center for Battery Production in Canada will help advance Canada’s national battery and EV ecosystem and will foster collaboration with higher education institutions and battery manufacturers to innovate production in the industry,” said Siemens Canada President and CEO Faisal Kazi. Siemens plans to extend its technological expertise to drive innovation while boosting Canada’s presence in the global battery market. The project, which will create 90 new jobs, will receive a $7.2 million Invest Ontario Fund forgivable loan.
Photo courtesy of Vishay Intertechnology
SOUTH WALES SECURES NEW CHIPS
Vishay Intertechnology has $323 million-dollar plans to expand the United Kingdom’s largest semiconductor manufacturing plant. The Pennsylvania-based semiconductor manufacturer’s investment will enable increased production of advanced Silicon Carbide semiconductors at the Newport site in South Wales. “This is an exciting moment, and the start of our plans for growth in the UK,” said Vishay Intertechnology Chief Technology Officer Roy Shoshani. “We can see through the development of the Industrial Strategy and the skilled workforce in Newport that there is a real opportunity to play to the UK’s strength in advanced semiconductors, delivering greater economic security and supporting net zero.” The project will aid in boosting the UK’s domestic chips supply chain, supporting automotive, energy and defense industries. Vishay anticipates creating 500 direct jobs through this expansion.
Rendering courtesy of Kingspan Group
GREEN LIGHT GRANTED IN LVIV
Ireland-based building materials company Kingspan Group has now received long-awaited approval to begin work on a new Building Technology Manufacturing Campus in Ukraine. The $297 million project, which is set to be located in the western city of Lviv, will house production of advanced insulation, energy efficient building material products and district heating solutions, according to the company. “We’re thrilled to get the greenlight to begin work on the site, which marks a hugely important milestone for us. We were among the first Western businesses to announce plans to invest in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion, and we have been fully committed ever since,” said Kingspan Group Ukraine Project Director Mike Stenson. “Working closely with officials local to the site and Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy and Ukraine Invest we’re very excited for our vision at this stage to become a reality.” Now that Kingspan has been granted its first building permit the initial phase of construction will soon begin, building out over the next five years. Once complete, the campus will create 700 new jobs.
Reports compiled and written by Alexis Elmore
