The Arizona-based company onsemi is planning to expanded its production of chips in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm and to invest approximately USD 2 billion, i.e. more than CZK 44 billion. CzechInvest played a key role in negotiations on the investment, which is the largest not only in the agency’s history, but in Czechia as a whole.
“Chips are the foundation of modern industry. Therefore, we have long been striving to reinforce Czechia’s self-sufficiency in this area. Onsemi’s investment gives us a chance to become a European chip superpower and will provide a significant stimulus for the development of the Czech economy, particularly the automotive industry, which is its driving force,” says Minister of Industry and Trade Jozef Síkela.
A world leader in the area of semiconductor components, onsemi decided to undertake this major expansion in order to increase its production of advanced chips based on silicon carbide. These chips are crucially important for the automotive industry, especially for electric vehicles, in which case they contribute to increasing the range and efficiency of such vehicles. Onsemi currently manufacturers ten million chips per day in Rožnov pod Radhoštěm and employs 2,300 people in Czechia, of whom 200 work in the company’s design laboratory in Brno. With the new investment, the company anticipates a significant expansion of production and strengthening of its development capacities.
A strategic investment on this scale, which is of key importance for the future of Czech industry, would mean for Czechia not only the creation of up to one thousand jobs, but would also be one of the first investments in top-level semiconductor manufacturing in Central Europe, thus enhancing the production of smart power semiconductors, while raising Czechia’s international prestige in the area of industry. Following the expansion, the Rožnov plant will annually contribute more than CZK 6 billion to Czechia’s gross domestic product.
“This is great news for Czechia and for Europe. Onsemi’s latest investment in Czechia is not only one of the biggest foreign investments in the country’s history, but also an important step for the development of the technology sector. Our cooperation with onsemi is a superb example of the successful support that CzechInvest provides to foreign investors, which brings forth advanced technologies and strengthens the competitiveness of Czech industry. It is also proof that cooperation with investors already operating in Czechia has significant potential for the further modernisation and growth of the Czech economy. The announcement of this investment is just the start of the journey and further cooperation, in the course of which we will provide the company with assistance to ensure the smooth implementation of the investment. We look forward to the benefits that this expansion will bring to the Czech economy,” says Jan Michal, CEO of CzechInvest.
CzechInvest has long engaged in cooperation with onsemi. In addition to dealing with the expansion itself and investment incentives, the agency is helping the company with other issues, such as seeking out suppliers and matters associated with visas and ensuring the presence of a skilled workforce through education in technical fields and cooperation with universities. This also involves attracting qualified engineers from abroad. CzechInvest’s representatives are also active in communication regarding regional development.
Contact fot the medai:
David Hořínek
PR Manager and Spokesperson
+420 724 591 667
david.horinek@czechinvest.org