KLA-Tencor Corporation will invest more than $70 million to establish a new research and development facility in Ann Arbor, MI. The new office for the global firm is expected to create up to 500 jobs.
A global capital equipment company headquartered in Milpitas, CA, KLA-Tencor supplies process control and yield management systems for the semiconductor and related nanoelectronics industries. KLA-Tencor develops and manufactures inspection, metrology and data analysis systems.
Rick Wallace, KLA-Tencor’s chief executive officer, is a graduate of the University of Michigan.
“KLA-Tencor choosing to establish its research and development operations in Ann Arbor is a huge win for the region,” said Paul Krutko, president and CEO of Ann Arbor SPARK. “It’s not only a boost to the economy in terms of investment and new jobs, but it’s a boost to our visibility globally as a place where Silicon Valley companies are choosing to expand. KLA-Tencor’s decision to choose Ann Arbor is recognition of the critical importance that the University of Michigan’s research, talent and leadership has in bringing in new companies to our region.”
KLA-Tencor worked with Ann Arbor SPARK, the University of Michigan, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and local municipalities for several months as it considered possible locations in the U.S. and Canada. Ann Arbor SPARK facilitated introductions to local business leaders to discuss talent acquisition, and key ecosystem and academic partners, and also helped the company through MEDC’s process for obtaining the incentives that helped push Ann Arbor ahead of the competition.
Additionally, Ann Arbor SPARK provided site selection services as KLA-Tencor scouted a location for the new R&D space. At present, the company intends to locate at a “soft landing” space while it finds a permanent home in Ann Arbor.
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