Kansas State Finance Council's APEX vote paves way for
transformative expansion project in Wichita region
WICHITA,
Kan., Feb. 2, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Integra
Technologies Inc., the largest U.S. Outsourced Semiconductor
Assembly and Test (OSAT) company, and Kansas Governor Laura
Kelly jointly announced today that the State of Kansas approved Integra's Attracting
Powerful Economic Expansion (APEX) incentive application for an
expansion project that will create at least 2,000 jobs and
$1.8 billion in capital investment in
the Wichita region contingent on
receiving federal CHIPS for America funding.
Semiconductors are critical to our national
and economic security, and now Kansas has a leading role, said Senator
Moran
Integra secured Kansas' premier
incentive package through a vote of the bi-partisan Kansas State
Finance Council, paving the way for the company's transformative
semiconductor (computer chips) project to apply to the U.S.
Department of Commerce for CHIPS and Science Act funding. Integra's
expansion plans are designed to address recent risks identified in
the U.S. semiconductor supply chain, support the domestic
semiconductor ecosystem, and strengthen advanced manufacturing in
the State of Kansas.
Integra is a fully integrated domestic provider of
semiconductor packaging, test, qualification and other
services. Over the next five years, Integra's expansion would
create at least 2,000 new jobs and build a one million square foot
state-of-the-art headquarters and production facility equipped with
high-tech machinery.
"Kansas is stepping up to help
resolve a national security crisis by playing a key role in
reshoring semiconductor production," Governor Laura Kelly said. "Our deliberate efforts to
diversify the state economy since my administration began four
years ago has prepared us for this moment. Partnering with Integra
will secure Kansas' rightful
position as a global leader in the semiconductor sector."
Founded in Wichita 40 years
ago, Integra is an employee-owned company (ESOP) with operations in
Wichita and Silicon Valley,
providing high-quality OSAT services for more than 500 active
customers, including many from critical infrastructure sectors such
as the military, aerospace, medical, aviation, automotive,
commercial and industrial.
OSAT providers play a critical role in the semiconductor
industry, serving as subcontract manufacturers of semiconductor
devices. The company performs the last half of the manufacturing
required to make a chip and validate its functionality before they
are shipped to become part of devices.
"The semiconductors we work on are in multiple space
applications, such as the Mars Rover and Hubble Telescope; more
than 100 Department of Defense programs of record; as well as
commercial applications that power everyday life," said
Brett Robinson, Integra Technologies
President and CEO.
"On behalf of our employee-owners, we are especially grateful
for Governor Kelly, Lt. Governor Toland and the Kansas Legislative
leadership on the State Finance Council for supporting Integra with
its premier economic development program, positioning us to
transform domestic OSAT services while expanding in our home
state," Robinson said.
The August 2022 bi-partisan CHIPS
Act was established to boost U.S. competitiveness, innovation and
national security in the semiconductor industry. As part of the
$52.7 billion, it will award
$39 billion to U.S. companies in
competitive grants to manufacturers to finance construction,
expansion and modernization of facilities and equipment. A state
and local incentive package is needed to apply for CHIPS
funding.
Robinson praised U.S. Senator Jerry
Moran's national leadership for ensuring the U.S. is
competitive in providing security and national defense through the
CHIPS and Science Act. "Senator Moran recently invited and hosted
Micron Technology, one of the leaders in U.S. semiconductor
manufacturing, to tour Integra and Wichita
State University. We appreciate Senator Moran's commitment
to our Kansas' workforce as we
also fortify our nation's security through technology
infrastructure."
"Integra's decision to expand its Wichita operations for its largest
semiconductor project to date is a testament to the talented
workforce in Kansas and the
importance of ensuring a reliable U.S. supply of microchips," said
Senator Moran. "I supported the CHIPS and Science Act because
semiconductors are critical to our national and economic security,
and now Kansas has a leading role
in making certain our nation is able to produce its own
semiconductors."
In addition, Robinson thanked Kansas Legislative leadership
serving on the State Finance Council for their support.
"APEX exists to promote unique large-scale opportunities at
economic and job growth, and there is no better way to do that than
having a Kansas company step up
and fulfill our commitment to boost the Kansas economy and grow the Kansas workforce," Senate President Senator
Ty Masterson
said. "Wichita is
increasingly the epicenter of critical global industries and this
exciting megaproject continues that proud tradition."
"As a long-time resident of Wichita, I couldn't be more excited about this
opportunity with Integra. Our region hasn't seen something this
transformative in years. By bringing the new sector of chip testing
to our area and adding 2,000 new, high-paying jobs, the
possibilities are endless. I'm thrilled to be a part of helping
make this happen for our residents," Speaker of the House Dan
Hawkins said.
According to Integra, the jobs and capital investment over the
first five years are the beginning of long-term expansion
plans.
"We have done extensive planning for this expansion because we
anticipated the increasing need for our services," Robinson said.
"With Kansas' and the Wichita
region's support, we have the thorough plans, long-term experience
and proven record to grow our country's share of this important
market."
Local and regional partnerships and support are also critical
for a CHIPS for America application, including in workforce
development. Robinson said that Integra has been working with the
Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas on a workforce outreach
and training plan, closely coordinated with support from the
Kansas Board of Regents, including
every university and technical college in the state.
"The Wichita region and
Kansas have collaborated on robust
workforce planning and support for this effort," Robinson said.
"Our collective plan is especially focused on working with
community partners to provide outreach and training paths for
individuals and groups that may have barriers to employment. We are
grateful to the partners in the Wichita area and Kansas because we have the talent
infrastructure and partnerships to provide the world-class training
and opportunities to grow and recruit this workforce, building the
jobs of tomorrow."
Integra's expansion includes a wide range of positions, with a
significant percentage of entry-level jobs requiring a high school
diploma or GED equivalent with training opportunities. The company
will be hiring engineers, technical positions, and all the
professional positions required for expanding its corporate
headquarters, including sales, human resources, finance and
more.
"This catalytic opportunity is especially exciting because it
provides for a local, proven, employee-owned company to increase
our nation's competitiveness and security," said Greater Wichita
Partnership President Jeff Fluhr.
"It also continues to strengthen and build depth in the
Wichita region's leadership in
advanced manufacturing, including in semiconductors, while
providing training and development opportunities for the vast
expertise our talent has in this area."
Robinson said the company expects to be able to announce the
location within the Wichita region
soon, pending a review of technical and site details related to
properties under final consideration.
"We are analyzing the final aspects of our space needs for this
state-of-the-art solar-powered facility, and as soon as we've
finished the last analysis, we will announce the site and begin
working on the next step in the process to work with local
leadership on the support needed for the CHIPS application,"
Robinson said.
About Integra Technologies
Integra Technologies is the largest U.S. OSAT company providing
semiconductor back-end services to companies worldwide. For 40
years, Integra has provided packaging, assembly, and test services
to more than 500 customers with complex requirements, such as
aerospace, medical, and defense. The employee-owned company's
headquarters is in Wichita, with
operations in Wichita and Silicon
Valley.
www.integra-tech.com
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SOURCE Integra Technologies