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Key Foundry signed a long-term supply agreement with Vishay Intertechnology Inc. for multiple power MOSFET products.
Power MOSFETs are the typical power discrete device, characterized by low loss, high-speed switching, and high reliability during high-voltage, high-current operation, which are commonly used in almost every electronic device.
According to a market research firm OMDIA, the power discrete market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6% from $21.2 billion in 2022, reaching a $28.4 billion market in 2027. Vishay is one of the global leading companies in the power discrete market, and its power semiconductors are widely applied to automotive DC-DC converters, battery management systems, HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning) control, LED lighting, as well as consumer and industrial products such as TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, and VR/AR.
Key Foundry and Vishay have signed this long-term foundry service agreement for multiple power MOSFET products, with a plan to start mass production in 2024. In addition, both parties have begun discussions for other future product development.
With this agreement, Vishay secures a reliable source of foundry services for MOSFET production, while Key Foundry engages with a large customer for automotive power discrete, which will increase its share of automotive semiconductor sales in the long term.
“With this agreement we are taking another step forward in our plan to expand capacity, both internally and externally. In particular, it will help us alleviate our current MOSFET supply constraints especially for our automotive and industrial customers,” said Joel Smejkal, President and CEO of Vishay. “In evaluating foundry partners, we decided to engage with Key Foundry because of its foundry’s capabilities and proactive response, and we look forward to the synergies we can achieve through cooperation with Key Foundry.”
“We are pleased to collaborate with Vishay, a leading automotive power semiconductor company,” said Derek D. Lee, CEO of Key Foundry. “Key Foundry will continue to improve process technologies as well as strengthen capabilities in marketing, quality, and production to expand supply of automotive semiconductors and grow into a leading specialty foundry.”
Original – Key Foundry
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SPEA donated a DOT semiconductor tester to King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL) – one of the most prestigious research and educational institutions in Thailand.
The state-of-the-art equipment is intended to integrate practical semiconductor testing procedures into the electronics engineering curriculum so that graduates are prepared for a career in this field. Students can try out the development of comprehensive tests of integrated circuits and check all functions of the chips under real working conditions.
In semiconductor manufacturing, the chips are thoroughly tested to assure they don’t present any defect that would later compromise the correct working of smartphones, cars, home appliances, medical devices, just to name a few key applications of semiconductors.
“The endowment from SPEA will help our institute to advance our industry partnership programs, aimed to prepare our students for successful careers in semiconductor engineering” said Assoc.
Prof. Dr. Komsan Maleesee, President at KMITL. “We are aware of the critical role played by semiconductor testing operations in guaranteeing that electronic devices work defect-free. The cooperation with SPEA is an ideal alliance of theory and practice to let our graduates approach testing technologies and methods“.
Lorenzo Bonaria, Executive Vice President at SPEA, expressed his gratitude: “We truly appreciate the encouragement and recognition from KMITL, that gives SPEA a great opportunity to participate in cultivating more test engineering talents in Thailand. The development of specialized skills related to component testing is of the utmost importance for us, and for the entire semiconductor industry”.
“Our experienced engineers will work with KMITL electronics engineering professors to integrate into their curriculum the technical training of semiconductor testing on SPEA equipment” adds Emanuele Bardo, Vice President for the semiconductor test business unit at SPEA. “As we all expect our electronic products to work, test engineers take a lot of responsibility in ensuring the quality of outgoing products. It is a multi-faceted, highly technical role, which combines skills in hardware, software, and data analysis”.
A dedication ceremony and symbolic handover was held on Thursday, Oct. 5 at the KMITL Department of Electronics Engineering in Bangkok. The event was attended by esteemed guests including Executives from Thailand’s leading companies in electronics industry, Analog Devices (Thailand), Silicon Craft Technology, Stars Microelectronics (Thailand), Delta Electronics (Thailand), Microchip Technology (Thailand).
Original – SPEA
