Manufacturing Technology
PR Newswire | November 01, 2023
DigiKey, a leading global commerce distributor offering the largest selection of technical components and automation products in stock for immediate shipment, announced that it has partnered with Ambiq to distribute their ultra-low power semiconductors globally.
Through the new partnership, DigiKey is now stocking Ambiq's Apollo4 Blue Plus. With one of the lowest dynamic powers for microcontrollers currently on the market, the new SoC allows designers of next-generation wearables and battery-operated smart devices to accelerate their innovation.
said David Stein, vice president, semiconductors at DigiKey.
DigiKey is pleased to add Ambiq to our core supplier line card. As a leader in low-power SoC solutions, Ambiq has raised the bar with their new MCU & SoC, and we're excited to support designers, engineers and builders globally as they work with these innovative solutions to accelerate progress.
[Source:PR Newswire]
The Apollo4 Blue Plus is a 4th generation system processor solution built upon Ambiq's proprietary Subthreshold Power-Optimized Technology (SPOT®) platform. The device's complete hardware and software solution enables current and future battery-powered endpoint devices to achieve a higher level of intelligence without sacrificing battery life.
The Apollo4 Blue Plus with Bluetooth Low Energy has more than enough compute and storage to handle complex AI algorithms and neural networks, always-on voice recognition, and display capability for smooth graphics.
"Ambiq shares the same value of meeting and exceeding customer's expectations with DigiKey," said Mike Kenyon, vice president of sales and business development at Ambiq. "We're excited to partner with DigiKey to offer our portfolio of ultra-low power, AI-enabled semiconductor solutions to help ease the customer's search for the best electronic components in one place."
About Ambiq
Ambiq's mission is to develop the lowest-power semiconductor solutions that enable intelligent devices everywhere to drive a healthier, cleaner, and more productive world. Ambiq has helped leading manufacturers worldwide develop products that last weeks on a single charge (rather than days) while delivering a maximum feature set in compact industrial designs. Ambiq's goal is to take Artificial Intelligence (AI) where it has never gone before in mobile and portable devices, using Ambiq's advanced ultra-low power system on chip (SoC) solutions. Ambiq has shipped more than 200 million units as of March 2023.
About DigiKey
DigiKey, headquartered in Thief River Falls, Minn., USA, is recognized as the global leader and continuous innovator in the cutting-edge commerce distribution of electronic components and automation products worldwide. We get technical by providing more than 17.2 million components from over 2,800 quality name-brand manufacturers with an industry-leading breadth and depth of product in stock and available for immediate shipment. DigiKey also supports engineers, designers, builders and procurement professionals with a wealth of digital solutions, frictionless interactions and tools to make their jobs more efficient.
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Manufacturing Technology
PR Newswire | November 01, 2023
Toyota announced a new investment of nearly $8 billion that will add approximately 3,000 jobs at Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina (TBMNC). This brings total investment to approximately $13.9 billion and job creation to more than 5,000 – further supporting Toyota's multi-pathway approach to global vehicle electrification.
This investment adds capacity to support battery electric vehicles (BEV's) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV's). An additional eight BEV/PHEV battery production lines will be added to the two previously announced, for a total of ten battery lines. Production will be increased in a phased approach, with line launches planned through 2030 to reach a total production of more than 30GWh annually.
said Sean Suggs, president of Toyota North Carolina.
"Today's announcement reinforces Toyota's commitment to electrification and carbon reduction, bringing jobs and future economic growth to the region. We are excited to see the continued energy and support of this innovative manufacturing facility."
[Source:PR Newswire]
In 2021, Toyota, in partnership with Toyota Tsusho, announced the new Liberty location with an initial investment of $1.29 billion for battery production and the creation of 1,750 new jobs. With today's announcement, Toyota North Carolina solidifies its position as the company's epicenter of lithium-ion battery production in North America. Overall, the campus will boast seven million square feet, equating to 121 football fields of battery production.
"Through the last few years of building relationships, including my most recent trip to Tokyo and meeting with President Sato, our partnership with Toyota has become stronger than ever, culminating in this historic announcement," said North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. "North Carolina's transition to a clean energy economy is bringing better paying jobs that will support our families and communities for decades to come."
A pioneer in electrified vehicles, Toyota has put more than 24.6 million hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell and battery electric vehicles on the road globally. By 2025, the company plans to have an electrified option available for every Toyota and Lexus model globally.
The company is steadfast in its promise of being best-in-town by supporting local nonprofits and education initiatives. This year, Toyota announced donations totaling $200,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Asheboro and Greensboro, Junior Achievement of the Triad, Shift_ed and Volunteer Center of the Triad. Last year, the company announced a $1 million investment in North Carolina students enrolled with Communities in Schools Randolph County and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
Additional Quotes from North Carolina Officials
"Toyota's latest expansion in North Carolina is monumental," said Senator Phil Berger. "The additional jobs and increased capital investment are proof that the Triad and our rural communities are prepared to support high-tech manufacturing. I'm thankful for Toyota's dedication to our state and I look forward to seeing it continue to grow and employ hard-working North Carolinians."
House Speaker Tim Moore said, "Today's announcement that Toyota will make an additional investment of nearly $8 billion at its newest North American facility right here in North Carolina is a tribute to the hard work the General Assembly has done to ensure North Carolina is the best state for business and innovation." He continued, "Toyota's success is a prime example of how a balanced budget, a strong workforce, and a AAA credit rating pave the way for business growth. Toyota's additional investment in North Carolina is a sign that we are on the right track."
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Manufacturing Technology
Business Wire | October 26, 2023
Operating capacity for the electric heating technology pioneered by Chromalox more than 100 years ago will be expanding at the company’s Ogden, UT, facility during 2024. In conjunction with Utah’s Weber County Economic Development Office, Chromalox announced a major upgrade and expansion to its Ogden factory that produces thermal electric heating technology used for sustainable heating applications in industrial and commercial installations throughout the globe.
Chromalox is part of the Electric Thermal Solutions (ETS) Business of Spirax-Sarco Engineering plc, a leading global thermal energy and fluid technology solutions group. The Ogden facility supports Chromalox’s mission of providing customers with highly efficient, modular and scalable electric heating solutions for decarbonization of process heating, steam generation and temperature control systems. When complete, the new building will also be LEED Gold certified, within the LEED framework for healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings.
The Company is investing more than $58 million in a major expansion project with EK Bailey Construction to increase capacity, create jobs and advance to new manufacturing technology, while also implementing key technology and systems in accordance with Spirax-Sarco Engineering’s One Planet Sustainability Strategy. The One Planet vision is to be a global leader in industrial sustainability by increasing energy efficiency, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and improving water efficiency. To that end, the facility is making a significant investment in a ground source heat pump system to efficiently heat and cool the facility year-round with renewable, geothermal energy. Additional investments will include LED lighting and high efficiency systems to conserve water consumption and improve recycling. State-of-the-art paint booths will utilize environmentally friendly paints and incorporate advanced filtration systems all while reducing operational energy consumption.
Investment in Biodiversity
Chromalox is committed to investing in the local ecosystem to offset the impacts of the expansion by working to restore nearly five acres in the Ogden Nature Preserve. This work will include restoring natural vegetation, wildlife habitat and land right in the Ogden area that was historically impacted by past military operations and adverse weather.
Colleagues working at Chromalox have a strong and proud history of helping their home communities by supporting and leading volunteer activities and projects each year. Teams from the facility coordinate over 12 volunteering and charitable donations projects annually in the fields of education, food insecurity and biodiversity, to name a few. In addition, every colleague is provided 24 hours of paid leave time to perform volunteer work for causes with meaning to them.
Why Ogden, Utah?
Armando Pazos, President and Managing Director of ETS, praises Ogden as a location with “an experienced workforce (including some with as much as 40 years’ experience with Chromalox, as well as highly qualified future hires), as well as existing infrastructure and certifications for seamless transition to the expanded facility.
“Over the recent decades, our engagement with the state of Utah and particularly the Northern Weber County region has been highly effective for Chromalox,” Pazos said. “We have made great strides in our quest to set the bar progressively higher for clean and sustainable energy and to meet these demands with operational excellence.
“We are a key supplier to help industrial customers decarbonize with our patented offerings to electrify industrial processes with our electric heating technology and solutions, and Ogden is the center of our operations for the manufacturing of these products,” he concluded.
“This upgrade and expansion will increase sustainability and biodiversity at Chromalox’s Weber County facility and is a proactive step in enriching our community,” said Gage Froerer, Weber County Commissioner. “We look forward to working with Chromalox as a global leader in paving the way in thermal electric heating technology.”
Project Summary
Among its many benefits, the new facility will
Continue the Company’s emphasis on ensuring the safety, satisfaction and work environment for colleagues, supporting both retention and recruitment,
Provide an environmentally controlled facility to increase product yield and life,
Enhance customer service and continuity of supply, and
Secure the future growth of the business in which Chromalox’s colleagues and vendor partners can thrive.
Chromalox anticipates completion of the new facility by the end of 2024 and will be providing updated news as the project progresses.
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