ANDOVER, MA – MKS Instruments held a groundbreaking ceremony this week for its super center factory in Penang, Malaysia, that will support wafer fabrication equipment production in the region and globally.

The facility, located on a 17-acre plot, will span around 500,000 sq. ft. and will employ 1,000 people. The factory will be built in phases, with the first set for completion in the first half of 2026.

“Penang offers an attractive and rapidly growing semiconductor ecosystem, and building a significant presence here is part of our strategic and long-term capital planning,” said Dr. John T.C. Lee, president and CEO, MKS. “Adding Penang to our global footprint puts us closer to our customers, suppliers and a robust technology infrastructure, including a deep and talented labor pool, as we continue to spur innovation and enhance our capabilities as a leader across a broad array of semiconductor manufacturing applications.”