－Improving Production Systems for Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment－
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tokyo, March 22, 2021 - Hitachi High-Tech Corporation (President and CEO: Masahiro Miyazaki/ Hitachi High-Tech) today announced the completion of its new factory “Naka-Marine Site” in Hitachinaka, Ibaraki Prefecture. Construction was begun in November 2019. This factory has all features required for the design, development and production of semiconductor manufacturing and analysis equipment.
The volume of data traffic is increasing dramatically with the expansion of AI and IoT utilization and with the progress of 5G related infrastructure. Hitachi High-Tech is seeing increasing demand for devices such as PCs, tablets, and smartphones driven by the growing use of social media and video streaming services, as well as the spread of working-from-home and online-lessons. Hitachi High-Tech also sees active investment in Data Centers and Base Stations that facilitate data communications. Further, the demand for semiconductor devices is expanding to automotive applications, particularly in electric vehicles and for autonomous driving. Fueled by the increasing demand across a wide range of applications, the semiconductor-related market is expected to develop and grow significantly.
Hitachi High-Tech has completed construction of the Naka-Marine Site in Hitachinaka Industrial Park, nearby the Naka Division, which is its main production site. It was built to expand production capacity of mainstay products, particularly semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and to establish a development environment that enables the creation of a diverse product lineup. Following is an overview and the main features of the Naka-Marine Site:
The Naka-Marine Site is a state-of-the-art smart factory which promotes DX (Digital Transformation) by utilizing IoT. Development and production systems are enhanced by centrally managing manufacturing data such as production progress, product performance and production environment, and by visualizing information on each production process. In addition, processes have been automated or fully automated (unstaffed) through the implementation of automated parts transport and remote adjustment. Hitachi High-Tech has established the highly efficient and stable production system to respond to the increasing demand of the growing semiconductor-related market. In addition, to meet customers' needs for high-precision tool-to-tool matching, Hitachi High-Tech has created a production environment with cleanrooms that are equivalent to those used by customers for the production of semiconductor devices. The development environment will be strengthened and enhanced through collaboration between the designers of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and designers of analysis equipment. This will also speed up product development and strengthen the competitiveness of Hitachi High-Tech products. Hitachi High-Tech will also continue the contribution to resolving the various issues that our customers face arising from the miniaturization of semiconductor device structures.
The Hitachi High-Tech Group aims to achieve zero CO2 emissions by FY2030. Work is ongoing to reduce CO2 emissions by gradually switching to renewable energy sources for the electricity used at all Hitachi High-Tech sites. The Naka-Marine Site has achieved zero CO2 emissions immediately upon completion as it uses renewable energy and is equipped with solar panels, thereby contributing toward realizing a decarbonized society. In addition to the commitment to reducing environmental impact, environmentally conscious design (eco-design) and life-cycle assessment have been introduced as part of the product development process. This enables the reduction of electricity consumption in the design and development stages as well as at the product use stage. Hitachi High-Tech also reduces CO2 emissions throughout the value chain by increasing the number of environmentally conscious products.
There is a giant QR code displayed on the roof of the Naka-Marine Site's Design Building. You can access the Hitachi High-Tech website by reading this giant QR code from the aerial pictures displayed in map apps. The website will also feature a special page introducing the Naka-Marine Site with the production of a video following the creation of the giant QR code from start to finish. This was devised as part of a unique project centered around the 22 new Hitachi High-Tech recruits who started in FY2020 and will be working at the Naka-Marine Site.
The Hitachi High-Tech Group will continue to provide innovative products and solutions in a timely manner to help our customers be fast-moving, successful, cutting-edge businesses. In addition, we will also strive to create social value through solving social issues, such as by contributing to creating a decarbonized society by reducing CO2 emissions.
CSR & Corporate Communications Dept, CSR Div.
Hitachi High-Tech Corporation (Contact: Mizutani)
Phone: +81 80 9280 7334
