Key insights
- Austrian circuit board manufacturer AT&S is investing up to €2 billion in Malaysia to capitalize on AI demand, securing long-term customer commitments from major US tech firms like AMD and potentially Intel. This expansion signals robust growth in AI infrastructure and highlights the increasing importance of Asian manufacturing hubs for critical technology components. The move could positively impact US semiconductor companies reliant on such supply chains and indicates strong forward demand in the AI sector.
By Alexandra Schwarz-Goerlich
VIENNA, June 15 (Reuters) - Austrian circuit board manufacturer AT&S has announced it is investing up to €2 billion ($2.3 billion) in Malaysia to capitalise on the AI boom, sending its shares soaring nearly 30%.
"We will fully expand our site in Kulim," the company's CEO Michael Mertin told Reuters in an interview on Monday.
The company announced on Saturday it would expand capacity in Kulim and raised its outlook for 2026/27, citing agreements with its customer AMD, the U.S. chipmaker, and another technology company on the back of strong demand for AI infrastructure.
AT&S did not disclose the name of its second major client, while industry sources say it is Intel.
AT&S said the investments required for additional production capacity at the existing plant and in the previously unused building at the second plant in Kulim were fully supported and financed by long-term customer commitments.
"We expect to have represented at least five of the leading high-tech clients we know as tech partners from the U.S.," said Mertin.
Shares were trading up 28.5% at €199 at 1009 GMT, after hitting a record high of €200 earlier in the day.
Mertin said it was likely the company would not pay a dividend for the current and coming year.
($1 = 0.8618 euros)
(Writing by Linda Pasquini, editing by Thomas Seythal)