Semiconductor firm KLA opens new
Singapore plant that will create 400 new jobs
- KLA Corporation opened the first phase of its fourth Singapore plant as part of a $200 million expansion plan
- The expansion will create 400 new jobs by 2026, focusing on engineering roles in design and product testing
- Singapore contributes 20% to the global semiconductor equipment market and over 8% to its GDP
- KLA supports local talent development, training 300+ employees through Career Conversion Programmes
- The expansion strengthens Singapore’s role as a global semiconductor hub and boosts collaboration with local firms
KLA Corporation, a US-based semiconductor equipment maker, has completed the first phase of its fourth facility in Singapore as part of a $200 million (S$259 million) expansion plan. This move aims to serve both Asian and global markets. The second phase is expected to be finished by 2026, adding 400 jobs to its current 1,500-strong workforce in Singapore.
KLA, which began operations in Singapore in 1996, is expanding amidst rising investments in the semiconductor industry by firms such as GlobalFoundries, Micron, and Applied Materials. Singapore produces about 20% of the global semiconductor equipment and contributes significantly to the semiconductor supply chain.
Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong highlighted that KLA’s new facility will produce advanced tools for wafer geometry and defect inspection, driving innovation and creating high-value engineering jobs in fields like mechanical design and product testing.
KLA is a strong supporter of Singapore’s Career Conversion Programmes, training over 300 employees with no prior experience in semiconductors. The expansion will also benefit local companies, such as Alantac Industrial Services, which collaborated with KLA to develop precision cleaning solutions.
Singapore’s Economic Development Board (EDB) emphasized the country’s competitiveness in the semiconductor ecosystem, noting that the sector contributes over 8% to Singapore’s GDP. KLA’s technical training centre in Singapore has also conducted around 15,000 training sessions by the end of 2023, supporting both local and global clients.
This expansion solidifies Singapore’s position as a key global hub for semiconductor equipment manufacturing, with companies like KLA driving growth, innovation, and job creation.
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