Latest news with #InvestmentZone
South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Newport to benefit from £7 million semiconductor investment
KLA Corporation has announced a £7 million investment to expand its semiconductor research and manufacturing operations in Newport, delivering a major boost to Gwent's thriving tech sector. The funding includes £6.25 million from Cardiff Capital Region and £750,000 from Newport City Council, supporting the development of a 237,000 facility at Imperial Park. The site will house manufacturing space, a fabrication plant, and offices for up to 750 employees, placing Newport firmly on the map as a hub for compound semiconductor innovation. The new facility is located within Gwent's established compound semiconductor cluster and is expected to play a key role in advancing the UK's industrial strategy, and will also be vital to any plans for boosting defence capability. The investment aligns with the goals of the local Investment Zone initiative, which aims to drive economic growth and create high-value jobs in the Gwent area. Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales, welcomed the announcement of more public money, highlighting its potential to deliver skilled employment and long-term prosperity for the region. Andrew Evans, Senior Director at KLA, said the expansion reflects Wales's strategic importance to KLA's global operations and its commitment to innovation. The UK government has argued that such public investment will further strengthen the connection investors like KLA have to the Gwent area. This latest move follows a £250 million investment by Vishay Intertechnology into Newport Wafer Fab earlier this year, further cementing the area's reputation as a semiconductor powerhouse. Together, these developments signal a new chapter for Newport, positioning it as a key player in the global supply chain for advanced electronics and chip technologies. KLA Corporation, headquartered in California, is a global leader in semiconductor process control. The company was formed in 1997 and provides technologies that help detect defects, improve production yield, and accelerate innovation in chip design and fabrication. Operating in over 20 countries and employing around 15,000 people, KLA reported revenues of $9.81 billion last year. Its customers include major semiconductor manufacturers worldwide, and its tools are essential for producing the ultra-precise chips used in your smartphone, AI systems, driverless vehicles, and more. The Newport expansion represents a significant step forward in Gwent's and the M4 corridor's rising profile in the semiconductor industry, according to KLA and politicians.
Business Wire
24-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Neuranics to Establish World-Leading Semiconductor Facility Backed by Glasgow's £160M Investment Zone
GLASGOW, Scotland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Neuranics, a Glasgow-based innovator in ultra-sensitive magnetic sensing solutions, has been shortlisted as one of six projects to be supported through the £160 million Glasgow City Region Investment Zone. Noel McKenna, CEO of Neuranics: 'This project will be a catalyst for economic growth, driving innovation in bio-signal monitoring and giving other companies and researchers access to world-class infrastructure, right here in Scotland.' Share Formally confirmed in the UK Government Spending Review, the Investment Zone aims to accelerate innovation in advanced manufacturing areas such as semiconductors. Neuranics' project, in partnership with Kelvin Nanotechnology (KNT) and the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre (JWNC) at the University of Glasgow, will create a new nanofabrication centre establishing world-leading manufacturing capability for magnetic sensor technology. The facility will be the first in the UK dedicated to full end-to-end magnetic sensor fabrication and assembly, supported by advanced tools including one of only two Ion Beam Etch systems in the UK. The project will strengthen UK supply chains, enable faster product development and secure local ownership of high-value IP. Neuranics' TMR sensors detect minute magnetic fields from the human body, enabling next-generation wearables, gesture interfaces and health monitoring tools. With strong global interest from major consumer electronics companies, bringing production to Glasgow will position the region as a world leader in sensor innovation. Key project outcomes will include: Over 100 skilled jobs over ten years in engineering, manufacturing and commercial roles A major boost to Glasgow's advanced manufacturing infrastructure Strengthened local supply chains across the Scottish tech ecosystem Inclusive training pathways through apprenticeships and graduate roles Increased collaboration with regional tech and academic partners 'We are delighted to have been shortlisted as part of the Glasgow City Region Investment Zone,' said Noel McKenna, CEO of Neuranics. 'This project will be a catalyst for economic growth, driving innovation in bio-signal monitoring and giving other companies and researchers access to world-class infrastructure, right here in Scotland.' The project directly supports the aims of the Glasgow City Region Investment Zone, Scotland's National Strategy for Economic Transformation and the UK Government's Levelling Up agenda. It is expected to boost advanced manufacturing, support net-zero goals and widen access to high-growth tech careers. About Neuranics Neuranics, based in Scotland, is a pioneering company at the forefront of magnetic sensing solutions, redefining human-machine interaction. By integrating ultra-sensitive TMR technology with custom circuit design and advanced hardware and software, Neuranics develops transformative solutions for XR, next-generation human-machine interfaces, and wearable health monitoring.
Rhyl Journal
19-06-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
Alwen Williams appointed new Chief Executive of North Wales CJC
Her appointment follows five years of leading the region's Growth Deal as portfolio director at the CJC - known as Ambition North Wales. The CJC is a new regional local government organisation, created by the Welsh Government, with statutory responsibility for producing a regional transport plan, regional strategic development plan, and enhancing and promoting regional economic well-being. The additional responsibilities assumed by Ambition North Wales necessitated the creation of the full-time chief executive role. Ms Williams will now lead the CJC, which also involves continuing to drive the delivery of the North Wales Growth Deal and collaborating with partners to deliver the Flintshire and Wrexham Investment Zone. She said: "I'm delighted to have been appointed into this exciting role on a permanent and full-time basis. "North Wales is my home and a place I care about deeply. "It's a real privilege to be in a role that contributes directly towards a thriving future for our region." Councillor Mark Pritchard, Chair of Ambition North Wales and Wrexham Council Leader, said: "This chief executive role is crucial to the development of North Wales as a region and in ensuring we can demonstrate our worth on a national and even global stage." "The responsibilities that now sit within Ambition North Wales as the region's Corporate Joint Committee are vast and require exceptional leadership to deliver. "Alwen's role now is to deliver for North Wales and take the region forward into the future." Councillor Charlie McCoubrey, vice-chair of Ambition North Wales and Leader of Conwy County Borough Council, added: "Alwen is an exceptional leader and collaborator with the skills to ensure Ambition North Wales continues to deliver for the region." "What she has achieved over the past five years has really demonstrated her abilities to bring partners across the region together with a clear vision focused on improving the economic, social and environmental well-being of North Wales." Before joining Ambition North Wales in 2019, Ms Williams had a 24-year career with BT plc and infrastructure provider Openreach Ltd in various strategic and operational leadership roles. She returned to North Wales, having grown up in Gwytherin, near Llangernyw, and attended Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy, Llanrwst. Ms Williams holds an MSc in Systems Thinking and a first-class BA (hons) in Leadership and Management from the Open University. Her contributions to business during her career in telecommunications have been recognised with honorary fellowships from the University of Wales Trinity St David's and Wrexham University. Currently residing in Mold with her husband Damian, Ms Williams is also a member of the Kings Trust Cymru's development committee and a trustee of the Welsh Sports Foundation, a national charity committed to removing financial barriers to sport and physical activity for children and young people.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Funding for major West Midlands projects allocated and it will bring 'real change'
Two key West Midlands sites aimed at creating thousands of new jobs have had funding allocated to get them off the ground. The £16 million cash, part of the West Midlands Investment Zone, will help establish Birmingham Knowledge Quarter and Wolverhampton Green Innovation Corridor as employment hubs for advanced manufacturing, green industries, health-tech and digital technologies. As well as bringing in billions in investment, the projects will eventually create more than 23,000 jobs. READ MORE: Work to fix mould-infested social homes almost complete as mum tells of 'really bad' conditions Early-stage preparations will now begin as part of a long-term plan that will use the funding to clean up land and make significant improvements to infrastructure to help attract investors and businesses looking to relocate. This is the second major Investment Zone announcement following confirmation last month of £23 million to help deliver a battery manufacturing and technology hub at the Coventry and Warwick Gigapark, another Investment Zone site. Mayor Richard Parker said: "Our Investment Zone has the potential to deliver £5.5 billion of investment and create 30,000 jobs in the region. "It is essential that we develop these sites, attracting investors and growing industries, to reignite the economic growth this region has long been waiting for. "In less than a year I've secured £40 million to get these sites out of the starting blocks. "That's how I'm driving our economy to the next level and bringing real and lasting change for people living right across the West Midlands." The three Investment Zone sites will each benefit from a range of direct funding secured by the Mayor and in some cases tax incentives. In addition to the new jobs and investment, around £1.5 billion of business rates over the zone's 25-year lifespan will also be retained and reinvested in the region instead of going back into government coffers. Birmingham Knowledge Quarter runs northeast from the Birmingham City and Aston universities through Duddeston and Nechells to Aston. The Quarter will offer tax incentives, business rates retention and receive £9m investment for public realm works and active travel infrastructure to help attract investment. The Wolverhampton Green Innovation Corridor will create new green industries and skills through a partnership between the city council and university with £7m investment for land remediation and key infrastructure. The Coventry-Warwick Gigapark at Coventry Airport. Anchored by a new battery gigafactory and associated businesses and technologies, the site will get tax incentives, business rates retention and £23m investment for land remediation, infrastructure and connection to power grids. Councillor Sharon Thompson, deputy leader at Birmingham City Council, said: "The Knowledge Quarter will be a world-class, city-centre innovation cluster focused on science, technology and enterprise that will deliver an estimated 20,000 jobs and a 4,000 home 'eco-town' - with over a third of those homes being affordable. "This is great news for the city, and this part of Birmingham, providing much-needed investment, jobs, skills, homes and infrastructure." And Councillor Chris Burden, City of Wolverhampton Council cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills, said: "The Green Innovation Corridor will build on the city's strengths in high value manufacturing, green technologies, digital innovation, brownfield land regeneration and sustainable construction to create new, quality jobs and support businesses. "The West Midlands Investment Zone funding and status will help us deliver key sites in Wolverhampton and engage in region-wide business support, skills and recruitment programmes to ensure that local people benefit from the opportunities created."
