Applied Materials Inc., a supplier of equipment to the semiconductor, flat panel display and solar photovoltaic industries, has expanded its Tainan Manufacturing Center. The nearly 15,000-sq-m facility will enhance the company’s ability to serve its customers in Asia while capitalizing on Taiwan’s location and supply chain efficiencies. “The Tainan Manufacturing Center is one of our biggest investments in Asia and puts Taiwan at the center of our display and solar equipment technology efforts,” said Chairman and CEO Mike Splinter. The facility employs about 150 and is expected to build and ship approximately 100 new plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition and physical vapor deposition systems this year – a 400 percent increase in shipments from last year. Applied Materials’ presence in Taiwan includes more than 800 employees in 10 offices across the country. A leading market for semiconductor and flat panel display manufacturing, Taiwan also is becoming an increasingly active region for solar energy. In 2009, it passed legislation aimed at promoting the use of renewable energy and boosting energy diversification. Applied has donated R&D systems for thin-film solar energy research to some of Taiwan’s leading universities and supports education efforts through its Applied Young Talent program. At festivities attending the center’s opening, Taiwanese Premier Den-yih Wu said, “This is an exciting time for Taiwan’s technology industry as solar energy and flat panel displays emerge as major opportunities for our economic development in the 21st century. We celebrate Applied’s successful history in Taiwan and the extraordinary achievements made through the collaboration and commitment of our people.” For more information, visit: www.www.appliedmaterials.com