Soraa Inc of Fremont, CA, USA, which develops solid-state lighting technology built on 'GaN on GaN' (gallium nitride on gallium nitride) substrates, is to open a new semiconductor fabrication plant in Syracuse, NY.
In partnership with the State of New York, the firm will construct a new GaN-on-GaN LED fabrication facility that will employ hundreds of workers. Working in coordination with State University of New York (SUNY) College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering (SUNY Poly CNSE), the new facility is on schedule for shell completion by the end of this year, with production beginning in second-half 2016. Soraa currently operates an LED fabrication plant in Fremont, California.
"Central New York's economic growth is due in large part to high-tech companies like Soraa that recognize the region's wealth of assets and resources," comments New York State Governor Cuomo.
"Syracuse is an optimal location for the new fabrication facility for a number of reasons including the innovative high-tech vision and strategy of Governor Cuomo; the ability to attract some of the best and brightest scientists and engineers in the world; and the capacity to tightly control the product quality and intellectual property around our lighting products through our partnership with SUNY Poly CNSE," states Soraa's CEO Jeff Parker. "Since we launched our first product in 2012, global market reception for our high quality of light LED products has been phenomenal and sales have soared," he adds. "The new facility will significantly increase our manufacturing capacity to meet this growing demand."
It was announced in late 2013 that Soraa would expand its manufacturing operations to the Riverbend Commerce Park in Buffalo, NY. The plans outlined sharing the space with solar module manufacturer Silevo. However, following the acquisition of Silevo by SolarCity, the facilities at Riverbend could no longer accommodate both Soraa's fabrication facility and the necessary square footage for SolarCity's expanded operations.
"Following the change with the Riverbend space, we remained focused on finding an optimal solution that worked for the State, Soraa and the talented workers that call upstate New York home," says Parker. "We're back on track with a great location and are targeting to employ at least 300 people to support a revenue stream of over $1bn once fully functional," he adds.
"By taking Albany's nanotechnology-based public-private economic development model across New York State, Governor Andrew Cuomo has established an unmatched engine for long-term growth," comments SUNY Poly's president & CEO Dr Alain E. Kaloyeros, who adds that the new fab will present hands-on educational opportunities to New York's students, adjacent to the Film Hub in Syracuse, where the firm's lighting technology can be adapted for production purposes.
