Amkor to increase IC assembly and test capacity by 25%

Amkor to increase IC assembly and test capacity by 25%
By Jack Robertson, EBN
May 23, 2000 (11:33 a.m. EST)
URL: http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20000523S0008

Amkor Technology Inc., Chandler, Ariz., Tuesday said it will add nearly 25% more total capacity for its global chip assembly and testing operations by expanding plants in Korea and the Philippines.

President John Boruch said a total of 800,000 additional sq. ft. of factory space will be added by mid-2001. A new 512,000-sq.-ft. building will be built near Manila to supplement three existing assembly plants there.

An additional 200,000 sq. ft. of space will be added for assembly in the Philippines, taking over an area previously occupied by test, which has been moved to a new facility. Two expansions in Korea will increase assembly and design facilities there.

Amkor earlier this year bought three Anam Semiconductor Inc. plants in South Korea for $950 million, as part of a larger series of investment by Amkor in the financially troubled company.

Amkor originally was founded as Anam's marketing arm, but following Korea's economic meltdown in 1998 has continued to acquire manufacturing assets and took a 42% equity stake in the company to help Anam structure a settlement agreement with creditors.