Speech By Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong at the Opening Of Applied Materials’ Tampines Industrial Crescent Manufacturing Facility

Mr Gary Dickerson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Applied Materials,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. Good afternoon. I am very happy to join you today for the opening of Applied Materials’ new manufacturing facility.

2. Applied’s journey in Singapore spans more than three decades – starting from a small sales and service office in 1991, to one of Applied’s most important global operations today with more than 2,000 employees.

3. Today’s opening marks another major step in this journey. This new facility, with about 700,000 square feet, will double Applied’s footprint in Singapore, and create 1,000 new jobs.

4. More importantly, it is a strong affirmation of Applied’s confidence in Singapore as a trusted partner to grow its business, serve global customers, and build capabilities for the future.

5. This is even more relevant in today’s operating environment.

   1. Geopolitical tensions are rising.

   2. Trade and technology flows are becoming more fragmented.

   3. Countries are competing to secure their positions in critical supply chains. Semiconductors are at the centre of this contest.

6. At the same time, technology is moving at great speed.

   1. AI is driving a sharp increase in demand for computing power and semiconductor performance.

   2. This will create new opportunities for the semiconductor industry.

7. But to seize these emerging opportunities, companies will need more than scale. They will need reliable bases where they can anchor critical activities, access strong talent, integrate with deep ecosystems, and invest with confidence for the long term.

8. This is how Singapore is sharpening our value proposition.

   1. We must go beyond being an open, connected and efficient hub.

   2. Singapore must be a trusted, innovative and resilient base for companies to grow from, especially in fast growing sectors such as semiconductors.

9. Over the last five decades, we have developed a strong ecosystem across wafer fabrication, semiconductor equipment, advanced packaging, IC design, specialty chemicals, precision engineering, and research and development.

10. But we cannot stand still. The industry is moving quickly, and competition is intensifying.

11. To stay relevant, we must strengthen our leadership in areas where we can make a meaningful impact, and where our capabilities are difficult to replicate.

12. We will do this in three ways.

13. First, by attracting and anchoring new investments and capabilities. These investments must add depth to our ecosystem, strengthen Singapore’s role in global supply chains, and create good jobs for Singaporeans.

14. Second, by helping existing operations transform.

    1. Advanced manufacturing is becoming more automated, digital and AI-enabled.

    2. Companies that can raise productivity, improve quality, and adapt faster will be better placed to compete.

15. Third, by entrenching investments more deeply into our ecosystem.

    1. We will help connect them to research institutions, local suppliers, institutes of higher learning, and skilled talent pipelines.

    2. This makes investments more durable, and creates broader value for Singapore.

16. Applied’s partnership with Singapore is a good example of this strategy in action.

17. This new facility strengthens Applied’s manufacturing presence here and reinforces Singapore’s role as a key global hub for semiconductor equipment.

18. Just as importantly, it supports new capabilities in automation, digital transformation and AI-enabled manufacturing – capabilities that will define the next phase of advanced manufacturing.

19. Applied has also been an important partner in our research and innovation ecosystem.

    1. Its collaboration with A*STAR’s Institute of Microelectronics on advanced packaging technologies spans 15 years and is now in its third phase.

       1. Advanced packaging will play a growing role in delivering the performance needed for next-generation chips, and this partnership helps Singapore build deeper capabilities in this field.

    2. Applied has also maintained a corporate laboratory with the National University of Singapore for the past eight years, strengthening capabilities in advanced materials synthesis and characterisation.

       1. These capabilities will matter more as the future of semiconductors depends not only on chip design, but also on breakthroughs in materials, processes and integration.

20. Applied’s partnership also extends to our local supplier ecosystem.

    1. Through initiatives such as the Applied Process Equipment Accelerator (or APEX), local precision engineering companies have been able to build capabilities to support next-generation semiconductor technologies across IoT, communications, automotive, power and sensor applications.

21. This is how a major investment creates value beyond the company itself.

    1. When a leading global company like Applied deepens its presence here, it creates opportunities for local suppliers, strengthens our advanced manufacturing base, and helps Singapore-based companies plug into global value chains.

    2. With this new facility, I hope to see even more local and global suppliers grow alongside Applied, and add depth to Singapore’s semiconductor ecosystem.

22. I am also heartened that Applied is investing in people. Ultimately, the semiconductor industry is built not only on hardware and technology, but on people with deep skills and experience.

    1. Applied’s expansion will create 1,000 new jobs across manufacturing, R&D, headquarters and field services.

       1. These are good jobs, allowing Singaporeans to work on frontier technologies, gain exposure to global operations, and be part of Applied’s global network of more than 36,000 people.

    2. Applied is also helping to build the next generation of semiconductor talent.

       1. I am glad that Applied is scaling up its internship programme to 100 placements annually by 2027.

       2. I am also encouraged by its new Chaired Professorship with the Singapore Institute of Technology, which will support joint training and upskilling programmes for advanced manufacturing roles.

    3. Through these efforts, more Singaporeans – especially our students – can secure a meaningful and exciting career in the semiconductor sector.

23. Today’s opening shows that Singapore and Applied can grow and succeed together.

24. Congratulations once again on this important milestone. We look forward to building the next chapter of our partnership together.

25. Thank you.