To mark the start of construction for KLA’s new research-and-development (R&D) and manufacturing center in Newport, Wales, KLA executives and employees were joined by members of the Welsh government and Newport City Council for a commemorative groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 5 at the new site. The state-of-the-art facility will be the future home of innovation and manufacturing for the SPTS division, currently located in the same city a short distance away.
Pictured at left and center, Wales’ Economy Minister Vaughan Gething joins KLA’s Oreste Donzella (far left), executive vice president, Electronics, Packaging and Components (EPC) Group, and Susan Wagner, vice president, global workplace services, for the groundbreaking. Also speaking is Newport Mayor and City Councilor Martyn Kellaway (right).
“SPTS has experienced significant growth in its business over the past several years and is a highly successful division of KLA. We are investing in the new site to support SPTS’s growth and to establish additional facilities for the wider KLA European organization.”
Oreste Donzella
Reflecting the company’s commitment to its environmental goals, KLA is adopting the globally recognized, science-based sustainable and energy efficient design standards, and the new facility will be designed to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating. Other details disclosed in a recent announcement about the expansion plans included a capital investment of more than $100 million for the new 200,000-square-foot R&D and manufacturing facilities that will include offices, cleanrooms, storage and support facilities to accommodate up to 750 employees.
Plans for the new building include three floors of high-quality working environments, providing staff with modern workspaces, flexible breakout areas and staff restaurant.
With staff wellbeing a priority, plans include a gymnasium and a footpath to support employee fitness and health, and ample cycle storage and shower facilities for those who cycle to work to keep fit and do their part for the environment.
To learn more about KLA’s expansion plans in Wales, read the full press release.
If you’re interested in exploring employee life in Wales, check out the Newport Location Spotlight article and employee profiles from our Multidisciplinary and Inclusion for All series.
To start your career at KLA, a World’s Most Admired Company, browse our job openings on the KLA careers page for the opportunities ahead for you.
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