CLARK FREEPORT – One of the top semiconductor firms in the world today is pouring an additional $170 million investment on its expansion project inside this Freeport zone.
Clark Development Corporation (CDC) President and CEO Noel F. Manankil, who was at the ground breaking ceremonies of the 2nd phase of the expansion project of Phoenix Semiconductor Philippines Corporation (PSPC) expressed optimism with the expansion of the South Korean firm here.
As of June 2016, the Korean firm has an actual $7.52 billion in actual investments in Clark Freeport since starting operations in 2010.
During the ground breaking rites, Manankil was joined by SFA Engineering & SFA Semicon Ltd., (SFA) President Kim Youngmin and PSPC President Lee Byeongchun, signalling the construction of PSPC’s Phase 2 semiconductor assembly and testing facilities within the company’s manufacturing center in this Freeport.
In 2016, PSPC is top exporter in Clark with its export valued at $1.6B. It has about 1,600 workers.
With PSPC’s Phase 2 construction, it’s manufacturing capability and employment could be doubled, said Manankil.
“In CDC, first, we are happy when we sign a Lease Agreement (referring to PSPC) then when the investor completes its construction and starts operating, more so, when it expands its operations,” Manankil said in his speech during the groundbreaking rites.
For his part, Lee said he is hopeful that the company will contribute to the development of the local industry and businesses.
“In the next seven years, we hope to be able to duplicate, if not exceed, the advances we made since 2010 and with the support of our business partners both present and future–Taiyo Nippon and ANDA Power among others– CDC acting as our official link with the national government, and with the guidance of our mother company, SFA Semicon Co., Ltd., we commit to a better future for Clark, for Pampanga and for the Philippines, through our Phase 2 project,” Lee said in his speech.
For his part, Kim said PSPC is being molded to be the manufacturing hub of the SFA group in Asia as part of their global manufacturing realignment strategy in the future.
“PSPC is predicted to be a company that will provide state-of-the-art semiconductor assembly services to Samsung and other electronics companies around the world,” he said.
“By diversifying its client base, PSPC is predicted to solidify its role as a major key player in the semiconductor business benefiting Clark Freeport Zone, the national economy and the global market,” Kim added.
PSPC’s major product lines include, Dynamic Random Access Memory and memory chips for desktop computer work stations and servers, personal computers, laptops and ultrabooks as well as Samsung-branded memory secured digital cards.
Also present during the ground breaking ceremonies were FS Phil. President Sukho Kang; Welcron Korea President Youngkyu Lee; ANDA Power Chairman Elon Ting; SFA Engineering Ltd. Vice Chairman Jin Won; and Ingasco President Raymond Chu.