- News
2 September 2019
Edwards holds official opening for new North America Semiconductor Technology Center in Hillsboro
UK-based semiconductor vacuum and abatement equipment maker Edwards Vacuum has held a grand opening for its new North America Semiconductor Technology Center at 6220 NE Century Boulevard in Hillsboro, OR, USA.
The eco-friendly 75,000ft2 facility is located close to the firm’s key accounts in the ‘Silicon Forest’, enabling Edwards to provide rapid service and support, customer training, and enhance its R&D and customer collaboration efforts. The approximately 200 attendees included Edwards’ customers and suppliers, top management, and local political and industry dignitaries. Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici and Hillsboro’s Mayor Steve Callaway offered remarks.
“Not only is this new headquarters located close to some of our key accounts but this area, the ‘Silicon Forest’ and the greater Northwest, is an excellent place to recruit top-notch employees for engineering, R&D and manufacturing positions,” comments Scott Balaguer, VP & general manager of Edwards’ Semiconductor division North America. “We are bringing high-volume manufacturing capability to North America to be closer to our customers and will be designing and building our integrated vacuum and abatement systems and other products here in Hillsboro, creating local jobs and contributing to the local economy in the process,” he adds.
“Edwards strives to be an environmental leader, both within the local community and the semiconductor industry, by applying ‘green’ technology in our customers’ fabs and within our own facilities,” Balaguer continues. “The new building is designed to be highly energy efficient and employee friendly. It utilizes a high-performance heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system and all LED lighting with advanced occupancy sensors... In addition, we plan to purchase power through a renewable program.”