BEIJING, China /BUSINESS WIRE/ -- Freescale Semiconductor recently celebrated the opening of a new design center in Chengdu, China. The opening follows several recent expansions in the Chinese market, including a thriving assembly and test operation in Tianjin and a growing operation in Shanghai, which has tripled in size since opening two years ago.
"Asia represents the single greatest growth opportunity for our business," said Michel Mayer, Freescale Chairman and CEO. "It is important that we maintain strategic operations close to our customers. There is abundant engineering and business talent here, and we are investing in these resources to serve our substantial customer base and support our aggressive growth plan for the region."
Freescale has maintained operations in China since 1992. The company was the first U.S.-based corporation to establish a semiconductor manufacturing facility in the nation and the first company to set up a joint-venture integrated circuit (IC) design center. Freescale's China operations encompass the entire semiconductor supply chain, from IC design, foundry, assembly, and test to sales and marketing. In addition, the company operates eight design labs in five design locations—Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Suzhou and Chengdu.
China is now the world's top market for semiconductor consumption and broadband connections and is expected to be the world's largest automotive market by 2015. The number of mobile phone users now stands at more than 508 million. Investments in telecommunication infrastructure have reached $42.5 billion RMB, representing a 14.8% growth compared with the same period last year. And two new 3G standards have recently emerged in addition to the indigenous TD-SCDMA standard. (Source: China Ministry of Information Industry, July 2007)
Chengdu Design Center
Engineers at the new Chengdu Design Center will work with highly advanced technologies in radio frequency (RF), digital signal processing, and communication processing. Expected to employ 100 engineers by the end of 2009, the center will be the key driver of Freescale's TD-SCDMA technologies. Work at the center will also contribute significantly to the creation of next-generation RF power products, and it will help to advance microcode technology for Freescale's QUICC Engine architecture.
Shanghai Innovation Center
Since its opening in 2005, Freescale's Shanghai Innovation Center has grown from 80 to more than 280 employees working in engineering, sales, marketing, and Asia corporate operations. The Shanghai center serves as a strong base of operations for the company's Asia-Pacific business. It serves major customers in the region, such as Delphi, Continental, ZTE, Lenovo, Huawei, and Alcatel Shanghai Bell.
In addition, Freescale has relocated the headquarters of its global consumer and industrial business from the U.S. to Shanghai. This move places the leadership of the company's microcontroller, analog, and sensors businesses closer to customers and potential customers in the high-growth Asia-Pacific region. The Shanghai center is home to four design and applications labs:
- The Wireless Multimedia Application Design (WMAD) lab focuses on system-on-chip projects, as well as mobile consumer and auto applications, featuring advanced 90- and 60-nanometer technologies.
- The Automotive Lab supports local automakers and their electronics suppliers in the region by providing total solutions for powertrain, body control, chassis, and safety applications.
- The MCU System Design and Application Lab plays a key role in new product introductions.
- The RF Applications and Digital Signal Processor Applications Lab supports networking and communication customers in the region.
Tianjin Final Manufacturing
Also experiencing significant growth is the Tianjin final manufacturing operation, Freescale's backend manufacturing facility in Tianjin, China. The Tianjin factory supplies more than 9 million microcontroller, mixed-signal, and radio-frequency devices per week. It is one of two Freescale facilities offering complete testing and packaging capabilities. The 400,000 sq. ft. factory has been in production since 2001. The Tianjin operation, which has more than 2500 employees, was recently awarded the 2006 Best Employer and Best Female Employer Awards organized by the Central China TV station.
About Freescale Semiconductor
Freescale Semiconductor is a global leader in the design and manufacture of embedded semiconductors for the automotive, consumer, industrial, networking, and wireless markets. The privately held company is based in Austin, TX, and has design, research and development, manufacturing, or sales operations in more than 30 countries. Freescale is one of the world's largest semiconductor companies with 2006 sales of $6.4 billion.
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