On 12 March, US firm Electro Scientific Industries (ESI) opened its first Asian manufacturing and servicing plant in Singapore, the first outside the United States. The industry leader in semiconductor yield enhancement equipment and passive component testers chose the Republic because of its strong logistics capabilities, sound business environment and great pool of talent.

This new plant, located at the Kaki Bukit industrial hub, will support ESI’s Asian micro-machining and passive components customers. The new facility is able to serve its 80 per cent customer base which is located around the region.

At the facility’s opening ceremony, Anna Chan, Assistant Managing Director, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), said, “We believe that ESI made the right decision in choosing Singapore, as this operation will provide the company with an excellent perch to participate even more closely in the Asian market. While recognising ESI’s significant manufacturing investment in Singapore, we would also like to encourage ESI to leverage on Singapore as a strategic home base for growth in Asia through activities in strategic business management, manufacturing control towers as well as research and development.”