Vanguard International Manufacturing (VIS), which runs only 8-inch wafer fabs, reportedly plans to set up a 12-inch fab in Singapore for fulfilling mainly automotive related IC orders.
VIS has responded saying it is in a quiet period ahead of the investors conference slated for November 7.
VIS, in which TSMC owns 28.3%, plans to establish its first 12-inch fab in Singapore in order to meet demand for automotive-related chips, according to a recent Nikkei report, which cited sources with knowledge of the matter. The new facility will be in close proximity to the Tampines, Singapore facility that VIS acquired from GlobalFoundries.
VIS' facility in Tampines, Singapore is the first oversees fab of the Taiwan-based foundry, delivering 8-inch wafer production for primarily sensor products.
Despite short-term headwinds, the long-term demand outlook for the 8-inch silicon wafer market remains resilient, VIS chairman Leuh Fang was quoted as saying in previous reports. The 8-inch foundry will continue to evaluate plans for entering the 12-inch foundry business with caution, according to Fang.
Industry sources were quoted in reports earlier this year as indicating that VIS was considering setting up a 12-inch fab in Singapore due to the highly appealing incentives granted by the country.
