Mechanical motion control component and industrial robot maker Hiwin Technologies will invest JPY10 billion (US$90.7 million) to set up a factory to make ball screws and linear guideways in Kobe, Japan, primarily for supply for Japan-based makers of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and machine tools, according to Nikkan.
Hiwin has acquired land for constructing the factory and will start production there in 2020, the report said.
Due to strong demand, Japan-based semiconductor equipment makers have received orders in excess of production capacities.
Mainly due to component shortages, Japan semiconductor equipment and machine tool makers have to extend shipment schedules from three months to 6-12 months. The component shortages have prompted Hiwin to build the factory.
Fan Jen-chi, Taipei; Adam Hwang, DIGITIMES