NXP Semiconductors N.V. announced that it has strengthened its presence in Asia by establishing Singapore as its Global Headquarters for Standard Products, Global Headquarters for Operations, and ASEAN Headquarters for Sales & Marketing. This move brings NXP closer to its growing number of Asian customers, and establishes a base for further growth in the region.

“Our customers are our first priority, and with a majority based in Asia, this move will facilitate closer collaboration with them and help us to better understand their challenges and priorities,” said Rick Clemmer, President and CEO of NXP Semiconductors. “From an innovation point of view, Asia is currently experiencing unprecedented growth in the design and manufacturing of semiconductor solutions, and with key business unit headquarters in Singapore, we have the ability to develop new relationships with technology partners that can benefit NXP on a global level.”

NXP’s Singapore based corporate R&D lab, which opened in May 2012, will also be expanding to retain a headcount of up to 80. Developing next generation technologies, including security chips used in biometric passports and automotive sensors that can potentially enable self-driving vehicles, this is NXP’s second corporate R&D lab with the first being located in the Netherlands.

Further demonstrating its confidence in Singapore as a stable and flourishing environment for operations and innovation, NXP will increase its investments by SG$ 20 million (US$ 15.91 million) in R&D on top of the SG$ 40 million spent over the last five years, and make a SG$ 125 million capex investment over the coming years to upgrade the manufacturing capabilities for new technologies developed at Systems on Silicon Manufacturing Company Pte. Ltd. (SSMC). SSMC is a Joint Venture between NXP and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd (TSMC) that offers flexible and cost effective semiconductor fabrication solutions. This significant investment will help SSMC scale-up the technical know-how of the current team and will allow them to work on cutting-edge manufacturing processes.

“We are pleased that NXP is growing its presence here,” said Leo Yip, Chairman of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). “NXP’s expansion is a good example of how companies seeking to build closer partnership with their customers can use Singapore as a location from which to innovate and manufacture advanced semiconductor solutions. The upgrading of SSMC not only enhances NXP’s global competitiveness but also strengthens Singapore’s semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem, supporting the continued growth of the industry here.“

Now more than ever, NXP Singapore will play a pivotal role in managing its Asia operations and will play a larger role in running NXP’s global businesses.