SkyWater Technology Foundry Acquires Twin-Cities Semiconductor Manufacturing Facility from Cypress Semiconductor Corporation


Carrying forward Minnesota’s high-tech legacy, SkyWater Technology Foundry keeps 400 manufacturing jobs in the Twin Cities

BLOOMINGTON, MINN. (March 27, 2017) – SkyWater Technology Foundry has acquired Cypress Minnesota Inc., a 200mm semiconductor wafer manufacturing facility in Bloomington, Minn. from Cypress Semiconductor Corp. With funding from Oxbow Industries, a Minnesota based private equity firm and diversified holding company, the acquisition ensures the manufacturing facilities’ future and keeps 400 high-tech manufacturing jobs in Minnesota.

As part of the acquisition, the company will continue to manufacture wafers for Cypress under a multi-year supply agreement as well as provide engineering and manufacturing services for a wide range of global technology customers, including the U.S. government. As a result, production at the facility will remain uninterrupted and there will be no loss of jobs. Additionally, SkyWater is transitioning contract workers into full-time positions.

Uniquely positioned within the marketplace to support government and private new product development, SkyWater is the most-advanced DMEA-trusted , independent U.S.-based and owned semiconductor foundry currently in operation. Ideally situated to assist innovators in IoT, medical, photonics, and superconducting applications bring new products to market, SkyWater has the in-house expertise and production capabilities to develop to any scale with a wide array of special materials.

“With annual demand expected to exceed 5.4M wafers by 2019ii, companies are scrambling to build or add 200mm capacity to capitalize on demand generated by mobile and IoT technology,” said Dr. Scott Nelson, Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President at SkyWater Technology Foundry. “At SkyWater we already have production online. Plus we offer what most foundries can’t – decades of technology innovation experience. With this acquisition, our employees have the opportunity to help this new technology foundry thrive and continue the tradition of quality U.S.-based manufacturing.”

Originally commissioned by Control Data Corporation in the 1980s, the facility has been a cornerstone of Minnesota’s high-tech community and under SkyWater will continue forward its legacy of innovation.

“SkyWater is unique in our ability to continue to support Cypress customers while building new opportunities for other industries, businesses and markets,” said Michael Moore, Executive VP of Sales and Marketing at SkyWater Technology Foundry. “It is an exciting opportunity we have in front of us.”

About SkyWater Technology Foundry

SkyWater is a U.S.-based technology foundry specializing in the development and manufacturing of a wide variety of semiconductor based solutions. As a globally recognized, DMEA-trusted facility with advanced development capabilities co-located with volume production, SkyWater has the ability and flexibility to innovate to any scale with a wide array of special materials. Our roots go back to the pioneers of computing technology and as such SkyWater offers what most foundries cannot: decades of technology innovation experience. Reach out to see how SkyWater can help revolutionize your product. To learn more, visit www.skywatertechnologyfoundry.com.

SkyWater Company Contact: Ross Miller | 952.851.5063 | ross.miller@skywatertechnology.com
SkyWater Media Contact: Lauri Julian | 949.280.5602 | lauri.julian@skywatertechnology.com

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