A Washington-based semiconductor supplier company has opened its new manufacturing center in Mesa and has plans to be up and running by August.
The supplier, Moses Lake Industries, makes high-purity chemicals that go into microchips of semiconductor wafers, according to Brad Wilson, a company spokesman.
More than 40 semiconductor companies and suppliers have made homes in the Valley since 2021, according to the Greater Phoenix Economic Council.
Moses Lake Industries built a building for a new manufacturing center and research-and-development space in March, Wilson said. The building is at 840 E. Baseline Road, Mesa.
The company plans to work with semiconductor manufacturers in Arizona to help with chip and packaging problems, Wilson said.
For instance, the semiconductor manufacturer can cut out a problem area in a specific wafer and send it to Moses Lake for repair, the spokesman said.
Moses Lake Industries has locations in Taiwan and China. The company invested in a $5 million tool that can help companies with packaging problems.
Packaging in the semiconductor industry is important since dirt on chips can impact if it works or not. But the goal of the Arizona center is to both manufacture and ship its product locally rather than ship overseas, Wilson said. Moses Lake gets copper in Miami, Arizona, he said.
Its parent company is Tama Chemicals.
“The opening of our new Mesa facility marks a significant milestone for (the company) and reflects our deep commitment to supporting our customers at the forefront of semiconductor innovation,” said Hiro Era, president and CEO of Moses Lake Industries, in a press release. “Arizona’s robust semiconductor ecosystem, skilled workforce and strategic advantages make it an ideal foundation for our continued expansion.”
Brent Ruffner joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2021 where he writes about developments at TSMC and Maricopa County issues, including election topics.
He's written about stories that range from accusations that a Mesa monkey breeding facility is unsafe to what to do if you encounter a rattlesnake in the desert.
Community: He is a supporter of the American Cancer Society.
Education: Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication, Arizona State University, May 2007.
Random Fact: He met former San Francisco Giants outfielder Willie Mays at a Phoenix Firebird game after winning a contest for an autographed baseball.
Hobbies: Hiking in the woods and collecting sports memorabilia.
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