Intel Corporation marked the completion of its latest manufacturing facility in the capital of Southwest China's Sichuan Province yesterday.

 

Located in the Chengdu West High-Tech Industry Park, the new facility adds to Intel's existing 1-year-old chipset factory, which recently produced its 18.88 millionth chipset.

 

According to Chinese tradition, this number brings good luck and prosperity, said Paul Otellini, president and chief executive officer of Intel, in Chengdu.

 

Otellini said: "The new, leading-edge facility will play a key role in Intel's global success, producing Intel's newest 65 nanometre (nm), multi-core processors."

 

The new facility will include a 65nm microprocessor assembly and test factory and a state-of-the-art training and conference centre.

 

It will begin operation next year and the company plans to increase its Chengdu employees to 1,300.

 

Intel, the largest foreign investor in Chengdu, was the first company to build a semiconductor plant of this size and scope in Southwest China.

 

"Intel's local site mirrors Chengdu's economic growth. We hope our success in Chengdu sets a positive example for other multinational companies to invest in the western parts of China," said Mike Adams, Intel Chengdu general manager.

 

Intel has been in Chengdu since 2003, when it announced plans to invest US$375 million and establish a chipset assembly and test manufacturing facility.

 

Since its chipset manufacturing facility started production in September 2005, Intel has been Chengdu's largest importer and exporter. The company works with more than 90 local suppliers and millions of chipsets produced in Chengdu are being distributed to Intel's customers around the globe.

 

Otellini told China Daily that Intel had been extremely impressed by Chengdu's infrastructure, and by the technical talent, pride and enthusiasm its 1,200 Chengdu employees contribute to Intel's global manufacturing network.

 

"As a result, Intel has continued increasing its investment in Chengdu, announcing plans last year to add a second phase to our site," he said.

 

"This includes a leading-edge microprocessor assembly and test facility and a state-of-the-art training and conference centre. The expansion of our Chengdu site brings Intel's total investment to US$525 million," he added.

 

As it boosts its manufacturing capacity in Chengdu, Intel is also working to contribute to the local economy and has set up formal education and community service programmes.

 

"For example, Intel employees have volunteered 6,000 hours in the community. This included devoting 2,000 hours to help local schools and a training centre for handicapped people to learn about technology," Otellini said.

 

Intel has also offered financial support for Sichuan's poor students and assisted its rural women teachers in their pursuit of further education.

 

"The Sichuan provincial government conferred the title 'One of Sichuan's Top 10 Beneficent Enterprises' on Intel last year in recognition of its public-spirited activities," said Gan Daoming, deputy secretary of the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee, during yesterday's event.

 

(China Daily October 26, 2006)