I have been mulling this release over for a couple of weeks.

Would there be anything in here that would link and embed it to PTK ?

An interesting read nonetheless.

Donna Abbott Vlahos

GlobalFoundries is moving quickly to increase production at its factory in Malta, New York.

Chelsea DianaReporter- Albany Business Review Email | Twitter

GlobalFoundries and industry analyst Jim McGregor say production of a faster, smaller chip known as the 14-nanometer is on schedule at its Fab 8 factory in Malta, New York.

Jason Gorss, a spokesman for GlobalFoundries, said that its 14nm plan has not changed. The 14nm chip is expected to be featured in next generation Apple products.

"A key part of the strategy is to order tools ahead of facility readiness to enable the fastest possible ramp," Gorss said. "Due to the large number of tools coming in, we have our vendors stage these tools at a nearby warehouse to facilitate a fast install."

A report published by Robert Maire of Semiconductor Advisors LLC last week said that GlobalFoundries' Fab 8 chip plant in Malta had stopped deliveries of equipment to produce 14nm chips, which may delay production.

The Christmas Day report said the foundry is having the tools housed at a nearby warehouse and that GlobalFoundries is asking tool makers for "modified payment terms." A foundry is the semiconductor industry term for factories operated by computer chip manufacturers that produce chips designed by other companies.

"This logistical move is in no way related to yield challenges or a delay in our technology ramp and is, in fact, quite the opposite," Gorss said. "Our Fab 8 ramp is on track and we have [been] yielding customer product on our 14nm technology."

McGregor, an industry analyst with TIRIAS Research in Mesa, Arizona, agreed that while storing the equipment in a warehouse is uncommon, production of the chips probably will not be affected.

"Part of it has to do with the flow," McGregor said. "It's not the typical flow of shipping equipment, but GlobalFoundries is using the warehouse because they need to ramp up the fab with new equipment in a very short time frame."

Typically, McGregor said semiconductor companies build fabs in blocks and expand over time. But GlobalFoundries needs to ramp up production so quickly that it could not afford to set up the fab in stages.

"This is going to be their leading-edge fab and if you read all of the report it insinuates that they have a very large customer out there," McGregor said.

Those reports suggest that GlobalFoundries and Samsung have teamed up to make 14nm chips for the next generation of Apple products.