Greg Anderson to head Intel's big investment in Poland. He will lead a powerful chip plant near Wroclaw.
Intel has announced that its newest factory in Europe - the Semiconductor Integration and Testing Plant to be built near Wroclaw - will be headed by Greg Anderson. Read an interview with Greg Anderson about Intel's massive investment, work experience, hobbies and family.
Recall that in June this year Intel announced plans to build a state-of-the-art Semiconductor Test Integration Plant in the municipality of Miekinia near Wroclaw. The company plans to invest up to $4.6 billion in the plant, which will increase Intel's production capacity and help meet the growing demand for advanced semiconductors. Construction of the plant will begin after approval from the European Commission.
When Intel announced this key investment for Europe and Poland, it was not yet clear who exactly would lead the new plant's operations.
Greg Anderson to head Intel's big investment in Poland
Intel has just announced that the position of General Manager of the Semiconductor Integration and Testing Plant will be filled by Greg Anderson. The American has already held talks with representatives of the Wroclaw authorities and the Wroclaw Agglomeration Development Agency - pictured below.
- During his more than 20-year career at Intel, Greg has gained extensive knowledge of manufacturing processes and standards. He has a proven track record of developing and overseeing assembly and test operations in the company's U.S. divisions, reports Intel.
- It is the experience and knowledge necessary to realize Intel's ambitious semiconductor manufacturing goals that make him the ideal person to take on the role of General Manager of the plant, which is one of the key elements in Intel's construction of an efficient and sustainable semiconductor manufacturing supply chain in Europe, Intel adds.
Intel's investment radiates: research and employee training planned. New jobs
- The plant will be built in the Wroclaw agglomeration in Miekinia.
- It is the largest foreign investment in Poland: $4.6 billion and 2,000 jobs.
Greg Anderson - a conversation about Intel's plant near Wroclaw, work experience, hobbies and family
Tell us about yourself - what experiences led you to become General Manager of the Semiconductor Integration and Testing Plant near Wroclaw?
I was born and raised on a wheat and soybean farm in North Dakota. After studying chemical engineering, I moved to Washington State to work in the public sector. After three years, I decided that the private sector was better for me, and accepted a position with a chemical manufacturer in Portland, Oregon.
In 2001, I joined Intel as a photolithography engineer. Since then, I have held various management positions up the engineering ladder, from group leader to plant manager. Most recently, I started Intel's first large-scale advanced packaging plant.
As for me and my family - we love spending time outdoors. In the summer we like to hike in the Cascade Mountains, and in the winter we go snowboarding together with our children.
Serving as CEO in Poland means moving from the United States to Europe. This must have been a major decision for you. What made you decide to take this position? And what are your impressions so far of your newly assumed role?
On a personal level, during my career at Intel, I was involved in countless facility expansions and renovations-my long-term career goal, however, was to be part of a greenfield development and build such a facility from scratch. A role such as the one I'm taking on is therefore something I've wanted for some time.
As for my first impressions, to be honest, I am impressed by the amount of enthusiasm around this investment in terms of what it will bring to the local community, but also to Poland itself. I'm happy to be working closely with those directly involved in the construction of the new plant, with the existing Intel team in Gdansk, and with the local community.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge in leading Intel's Semiconductor Integration and Test Facility?
The first challenge will be to make sure that Intel is fully integrated into the local community and has become a respected and valued member of the community - that's my main goal. Once we achieve this, it will be easier. After all, plant management is not just about the production process itself - "wafers in, and finished products out."
It's also about all the other activities, stemming from our investments and impacting the local communities, that Intel always undertakes - volunteering, reaching out to the community, supporting education, and making sure we bring more to the community than we take.
For example, during my time in Oregon, I was very involved in recruiting at universities and colleges for Intel technical positions, working with universities directly and promoting Intel as an employer of choice.
What are you most excited about in your new role?
First of all, I think it's important to understand that the plant in the Wroclaw area is crucial for Intel to build a comprehensive supply chain in Europe. This project is important both for Poland and for the EU, because without a plant in Lower Silesia, which closes the whole part of the production process, the strategic goal of an efficient and sustainable supply chain cannot be achieved. I'm happy to be a part of that.
I think what I am looking forward to most is the role we will play at the local level. For me personally, it's also the opportunity to move and settle in a completely new community, with the vast amount of new experiences that will accompany it. I am convinced that it will be extremely rewarding.
How are you coping with your knowledge of the Polish language?
I've already been warned that Polish is particularly challenging. But to show our commitment - as soon as I was offered a job, my wife and I immediately started taking Polish lessons. And I have to admit - she's better at it than me!
We both believe that learning the language is crucial to really integrate into the community and, importantly, to discover the charms of Polish cuisine and culture.
What will Intel be doing at the new plant near Wroclaw?
Intel's investment in Poland, combined with its existing so-called silicon wafer fabrication facility in Ireland and a second planned silicon wafer fabrication facility in Magdeburg, Germany, will help create the first of its kind in Europe, a comprehensive and most technologically advanced supply chain for semiconductor chip manufacturing. It will also be a catalyst for additional investment in the ecosystem and innovation in Poland and across the European Union.
- Poland is already the site of Intel's operations, the country's geographic location will allow for effective collaboration with the company's manufacturing facilities in Germany and Ireland. It's very cost-competitive compared to other manufacturing locations globally, while offering great potential related to the talent base we will help develop, Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger said in June.