Hutchinson Technology Inc is holding a groundbreaking ceremony today to formally mark commencement of the construction of its suspension assembly operation located in the Rojana Industrial Park in Ayutthaya, Thailand.
The 13,656 square meter facility is scheduled for completion in August of 2010 and will be equipped for high-volume manufacturing of suspension assemblies for disk drives.
According to Kathleen Skarvan, president of Hutchinson Technology's
Disk Drive Components Division, the company selected Thailand as the
location for its manufacturing operation because of its position as a
major manufacturing base for the disk drive industry.
"Being located in
closer proximity to our customers will improve our ability to support
their operations and enhance our competitive position," she said. "In
addition, Thailand offers a favorable business climate and a quality
workforce that is familiar with high technology products and
processes."
Skarvan said the company expects the total investment value of the
project to be approximately Bt4 billion.
"This investment reflects
the transfer, installation and qualification of automated manufacturing
equipment and precision tooling, along with approximately 500 million
baht in capital expenditures for construction of the building," she
said.
"Hutchinson Technology's investment in its Thailand suspension assembly operation will help the hard disk drive cluster in Thailand gain more
strength," said Atcharin Pattanapanchai, deputy secretary-general
of the Board of Investment.
"In 2010, the BOI is considering implementing new
investment incentives and measures to support the government's
sustainable investment policy."
