The Wall Street Journal claims from its own sources that Intel is interested in buying the contract manufacturer Globalfoundries. The cost of a possible takeover is estimated at 30 billion US dollars.
In order to manufacture semiconductor products for other companies to a far greater extent than before, Intel is expected to invest in the acquisition of Globalfoundries, the currently third largest contract manufacturer (foundry) in this segment, are interested and are already holding talks, reports the Wall Street Journal, citing privy sources. Corresponding plans have not yet been officially confirmed.
Globalfoundries is part of the Mubadala Investment Company, which operates on behalf of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The contract manufacturer came into being around 12 years ago when AMD had to part with its own manufacturing division. Today the plants include Fab 1 in Dresden (cover picture) as well as facilities in Singapore and the USA. Just a few weeks ago, Globalfoundries began expanding its Singapore factory site with a $ 4 billion investment. As a result, 450,000 more wafers are to be produced per year, which means that the level of a “gigafab” will be achieved. The company also wants to upgrade in Dresden and the USA.
Should the alleged talks with Intel fail, a possible IPO of Globalfoundries is still on the agenda.
< h2 class = "text-width text-h2" id = "section_intel_will_ein_grosser_ordersfertiger_ werden"> Intel wants to become a large contract manufacturer
With a takeover of the world's third largest foundry behind TSMC and Samsung Intel will significantly strengthen its contract manufacturing activities, which have only been carried out on a small scale. In March, Intel's new CEO Pat Gelsinger announced not only investments of US $ 20 billion to expand its own semiconductor production, but also a greater focus on the foundry business with the establishment of Intel Foundry Services (IFS). Intel's self-imposed goal of growing into a major contract manufacturer in the USA and Europe would be quickly achieved with a takeover of Globalfoundries.