Taiwan semiconductor firm Kyec pumps S$100 million in new Singapore plant, creates over 300 jobs

[SINGAPORE] A new semiconductor testing facility in Singapore will create over 300 jobs across engineering and managerial roles. It will also provide the local workforce with training in equipment engineering and advanced test processes.

Taiwan-based semiconductor service provider King Yuan Electronics Corp (Kyec) opened its first overseas semiconductor testing facility in Singapore, which was unveiled on Friday (May 22).

Investment into the new factory amounted to S$100 million, and is part of the group’s global expansion strategy.

Established through Kyec’s Singapore subsidiary, the plant is equipped with around 109,000 square feet of clean room space, enabling testing capabilities like chip probing, final testing, burn-in and system-level testing.

Kyec’s Singapore subsidiary was formed in 2006 and previously focused on regional sales and support services.

The facility will serve the growing demand for automotive, high-performance artificial intelligence products, as well as computer, communications and consumer electronics semiconductor testing across South-east Asia.

Kyec noted that the Singapore plant will also help mitigate risks associated with geographically concentrated semiconductor supply chains and enable closer collaboration with its customers in building a diversified and cross-regional ecosystem.

Gauss Chang, chairman of Kyec Singapore, said that the Singapore plant is well positioned for further expansion as customer demand continues to grow, which will help turn the business from “part of the supply chain to part of the process”.

The semiconductor company – headquartered in Taiwan – is one of the world’s largest pure-play integrated circuit testing companies. It also has operations in Japan, China and the US that focus on regional corporate, sales and customer support rather than chip manufacturing and testing.

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“This test facility will bring Kyec’s unique test expertise to Singapore and help build up Singapore’s AI chip testing abilities,” said Economic Development Board managing director Jermaine Loy.

Currently, the semiconductor industry in Singapore contributes almost 6 per cent to the country’s gross domestic product. There are over 35,000 industry firms headquartered here, conducting manufacturing and research and development activities, he noted.