Applied Materials, Inc., the world’s largest supplier of equipment to the semiconductor, flat panel display (FPD) and solar photovoltaic (PV) industries, will open its first Asian semiconductor equipment manufacturing facility in Singapore, as a continuation of its expansion in the region.

The S$85 million (US$ 60 million), 32,000 sq m Singapore Operations Centre serves as the hub for semiconductor manufacturing across the world and has business operations with supporting global corporate functions such as supply chain operations, finance and human resource. The Center is also the regional sales and service office, and headquarters for Southeast Asia.

Applied Materials expects an estimated S$1.4 billion (US$ 1 billion) of Asian sourcing to be directed from Singapore. The Singapore Operations Center will also generate the demand for highly skilled workers, as it manufactures very sophisticated and high value-added tools. The company plans to double employment here in the next few years to 800.