TAIPEI Reuters -- Taiwan's ASE Technology Holding Co Ltd, one of the world's largest semiconductor testing and packaging firms, said on Wednesday that it would build a more advanced smart factory, as the industry continues to struggle with a labour shortage.
The latest advancement in ASE's automation push will be the new factory in Kaohsiung, powered by U.S. chip designer Qualcomm Inc's Snapdragon system, the first in the world to deploy a 5 G mmWave new radio-dual connectivity standalone network.
Apple Inc., which began investing in automated factories in 2015, told Reuters it plans to build 10 smart factories this year, reaching a total of 37 smart factories in Taiwan by the end of the year.
The company said in a statement that ASE is accelerating its adoption of smart manufacturing technologies including automation to counter the talent crunch and adapt to diverse customer requirements.
The talent shortage in the semiconductor industry remains a top concern, according to executives from companies in the chip supply chain from design to manufacturing.
Chip companies in Taiwan have been expanding rapidly in recent years, spurred by a pandemic-induced surge in demand for chips, and face fierce competition from local and foreign companies recruiting from a shrinking pool of engineers.
Taiwan's government established specialised chip schools last year in order to boost engineering talent for the prized sector on the island, home to the world's largest contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd TSMC We hope to lead by example and inspire more industry players to build a resilient global smart manufacturing and equipment cluster, ASE Chief Executive Tien Wu said in a statement.