SilTerra CEO pleased with Kulim Hi-Tech Park

By David Tan

TheStar Online

Thursday 17 August 2006

The world-class infrastructure facilities at the Kulim Hi-Tech Park (KHTP) prove that SilTerra Malaysia Sdn Bhd made the right decision when it set up operations there in 2001 with an initial investment of US$1.5bil, said chief executive officer Bruce Gray. 

As the local authorities and the park management continued to work together to provide a conducive environment for companies in KHTP to expand, SilTerra had since 2003 pumped in a further US$270mil to upgrade its facility and had recruited some 300 engineers and technicians, he told a press conference yesterday. 

Bruce Gray

“For example, the local authorities recently promptly approved a pipeline to be connected from the independent power plant, Northern Utility Resources Bhd, to KHTP.  “Because the necessary permits were issued promptly, such a vital infrastructure was set up and ready to operate in five weeks.  “The pipeline is important as it allows companies in KHTP to convert diesel into natural gas, thus helping us save substantially on operation costs,” Gray said.

He said KHTP also had excellent high-speed broadband infrastructure that allowed SilTerra to deliver crucial manufacturing data to customers in South Korea, Taiwan and the United States. 

He said with such facilities in place, it was no surprise that KHTP was given cyber-city status. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is scheduled to formally declare KHTP a cyber city tomorrow. 

On possible improvements to KHTP, Gray said the road infrastructure could be developed further. 

“There are sufficient houses for people working in KHTP. What it needs now is more educational institutions and shopping facilities,” he added. 

SilTerra specialises in the manufacture of chips used in consumer electronics products such as DVD players, routers, and display drivers. 

Gray said SilTerra would continue investing in KHTP according to demand from the semiconductor market. 





About Silterra Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.:

Silterra Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. is a leading semiconductor wafer foundry that provides advanced foundry standard CMOS logic, high-voltage and mixed-signal/RF technologies. The company’s wafer fab has a designed capacity of 40,000 eight-inch wafers per month. Silterra, which is committed to world-class service and environmental friendliness, received Notable Mention in the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Hibiscus Award competition for Environmental Performance in 2003 and 2005. The company is ISO 9001:2000 and ISO 14001 certified. Silterra’s headquarters and factory are located in Kulim, Malaysia, and has offices in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), San Jose (California, USA) and Hsinchu (Taiwan). For additional information on Silterra or its services, please visit www.silterra.com.