News: Optoelectronics
25 May 2023
Sivers initiates Photonics foundry capacity project and makes management changes
Sivers Photonics of Glasgow, Scotland, UK (a business unit of IC and integrated module supplier Sivers Semiconductors AB of Kista, Sweden) is evaluating how to expand its capacity to meet volumes of more than 1000 wafers per week. To make this possible Sivers Semiconductors has formed a strategic business development project, hired an advisor, and made changes in Photonics management.
For almost five years, Sivers Photonics has been working with what are described as very significant customers that are now getting closer to possible volume production. So far, these customers have spent more than $15m in development to secure the path to volume production. For Sivers Photonics to reach volume production with one or several of these customers, it needs to expand capacity and production capabilities.
Sivers Semiconductors has therefore formed a strategic project to look at a possible new fab site within the European Union (EU) or the USA, including strategic partnerships in the Photonics space. Sivers has hired a new advisor to lead this project, and the current Photonics managing director William McLaughlin will join the project to capture what Sivers believes is a significant market opportunity. Sivers Photonics’ chief technology officer & co-founder Dr Andrew McKee will assume the role of interim managing director of Sivers Photonics.
The project will also look at possible funding alternatives including Chip Act funding that has been announced by both the EU in the EU Chips Act (involving €43bn to boost chip production within EU) as well as by the US government with the CHIPS and Science Act (including $39bn for chip manufacturing on US soil).
“With the first order of approximately 30,000 chips that will be delivered in this quarter, we are now seeing a clearer path towards volume production,” says Sivers Semiconductors’ group CEO Anders Storm. “By forming a strategic project, hiring an advisor, and giving Billy [William McLaughlin] the possibility to focus on developing capacity and capabilities of the Photonics business unit, we believe that we have the best possibility to secure the right solution for the next phase,” he adds. “In addition, Andy McKee will secure the stability and performance of the existing Photonics business.”
