17 April 2018

Edwards Vacuum breaks ground on new Technology Innovation Center & North American HQ in Hillsboro

© Semiconductor Today Magazine / Juno PublishiPicture: Disco’s DAL7440 KABRA laser saw.

After completing the purchase of an 8-acre site (a collaborative effort with Avison Young), Edwards Ltd of Crawley, UK (a manufacturer of vacuum products and abatement systems and a provider of related services) has begun construction of a new 75,000ft2 Technology Innovation Center in Hillsboro, OR, USA (scheduled to open in second-quarter 2019) that will serve as the firm’s North American semiconductor headquarters.

“This project spanned two years of due diligence, analysis, and negotiation that included the collaboration of half a dozen firms and experts,” notes Ed English, senior VP at Avison Young, whose team worked closely with Edwards to lead the real-estate strategy and implementation. “Edwards originally planned to lease the facility, but ultimately chose to purchase it.”

Edwards held a ground-breaking ceremony at the site (on NE Century Boulevard) attended by company officials and local dignitaries, including Hillsboro City mayor Steve Callaway and Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce president Deanna Palm.

“Edwards has many options for global investment, and our community greatly appreciates Edwards and its commitment to Hillsboro,” comments Callaway. “As a city, we will continue to support Edwards employees when the new high-tech facility opens,” he adds.

“Our state-of-the-art innovation center and manufacturing facility is strategically located close to some of our key accounts in the Pacific Northwest, and will enable us to work closely with them, as well as other customers in North America, on R&D and continuous improvement programs,” says Scott Balaguer, VP & general manager, Semiconductor Division North America. “This proximity will also enable us to provide rapid service & support, as well as serve as our regional training center.

Edwards has about 100 staff at its current Hillsboro locations and, with consolidation, expects to double in size at the new facility.

“Edwards is fully committed to the Northwest Region, creating jobs and participating in the local growth, as environmentally conscious corporate stewards in the neighbourhood,” says Balaguer. “We anticipate continued expansion on site, as we plan to design & manufacture our integrated vacuum & abatement production solutions, as well as other world-class products in our portfolio,” he adds.

See related items:

Edwards opening US service center

Tags: Edwards

Visit: www.edwardsvacuum.com