Wolfspeed, Inc., a leader in Silicon Carbide technology and production, has officially opened its state-of-the-art, Mohawk Valley Silicon Carbide fabrication facility in Marcy, N.Y. with a ribbon cutting ceremony with Federal and State Officials. The 200mm wafer fab is located just off the Thruway in Utica and will help lead the industry-wide transition from silicon to Silicon Carbide-based semiconductors.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul was on site to officially welcome Wolfspeed to Mohawk Valley, in addition to Eric Bach, Senior Vice President of Product and Chief Engineer at Lucid Motors. As a key partner, Lucid Motors had the honor of “cutting the ribbon” with its Lucid Air®, named the 2022 MotorTrend Car of the Year®. Wolfspeed recently announced a multi-year agreement with Lucid to supply Silicon Carbide devices. The Lucid Air Grand Touring features an official EPA estimated 516 miles of range or 1,050 horsepower.
Wolfspeed changed its name from Cree last year.
“By cutting the ribbon on this new chip fabrication facility, we are making good on the promise of being the most business-friendly and worker-friendly state in the nation, while cementing New York as the national hub for semiconductor production,” Governor Hochul said. “Employers in cutting-edge industries like Wolfspeed will power the future of New York by bringing good paying jobs and educational opportunities to communities like this one, right here in Marcy. My administration is pulling out all the stops to position emerging industries for success in our state, and I thank Wolfspeed for this public-private partnership.”
“We are honored to be joined by these government, community, and industry leaders to celebrate Wolfspeed’s Mohawk Valley Fab, New York State’s economic competitiveness and American chip manufacturing,” said Gregg Lowe, president and CEO of Wolfspeed. “I am incredibly proud of the team, and all of our partners, who brought this monumental fab to life in such a short time. This fab will not only supply customers in 2022 but also support long-term American competitiveness.”
“As a market leader and technology innovator, we share Wolfspeed’s values and mission to provide industry-leading solutions for energy efficient consumption and a sustainable future,” said Eric Bach, Senior Vice President of Product and Chief Engineer at Lucid. “Today, we are very proud to announce we will be partnering with Wolfspeed to source the highest quality Silicon Carbide components here in the State of New York, providing even more American jobs for the EV industry.”
The automated Mohawk Valley facility is the world’s first and largest 200mm Silicon Carbide fab providing uncompromised wafer quality and higher yield. The devices developed in Mohawk Valley will be critical in feeding Wolfspeed’s $20-billion+ pipeline and the global semiconductor industry. The first Silicon Carbide lot was run at the facility earlier this month. More than 600 high-tech Mohawk Valley jobs will be created by 2029.
