KLA's $138 Million Investment Brings New Jobs, Innovation, and Global Opportunity to Newport
Newport is celebrating a major boost to its economy and its future as a technology hub.
Newport is celebrating a major boost to its economy and its future as a technology hub, following the recent announcement that KLA Corporation, a global leader in semiconductor process control and enabling technology, has opened a cutting-edge $138 million research and development (R&D) and manufacturing centre in the city.
The investment is not just a win for KLA, it's a game-changer for Newport. With space for 750 highly skilled employees, the new 237,000-square-foot facility will create a wave of new job opportunities, helping to strengthen the local workforce, attract top technical talent, and grow Newport's reputation on the international stage as a centre of engineering and manufacturing excellence.
KLA's local roots run deep. Its Wales-based product division, SPTS, has been a leader in semiconductor equipment innovation since 1984, winning multiple Queen's Awards for excellence in R&D and export. Now, with this expansion, the company is doubling down on Newport's role in the global semiconductor ecosystem, ensuring that cutting-edge technologies developed here will support industries like advanced packaging, power devices, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), radio frequency (RF), and photonics.
The Newport site features 25,000 square feet of R&D cleanrooms, 35,000 square feet of state-of-the-art manufacturing space, and dedicated customer collaboration and demonstration areas. This will not only enable KLA to meet rising global demand, especially as AI accelerates the need for advanced chips, but it will also serve as a key anchor for Newport's growing electronics and semiconductor community.
'This investment is about more than expanding KLA's capacity, it's about investing in Newport's future,' said Dan Collins, site leader and general manager at KLA. 'We're creating high-quality jobs, advancing technology, and deepening our long-term partnerships with the local community. It's a powerful moment for Newport, and we're excited to play a leading role in shaping what comes next.'
Welsh and U.K. government leaders also highlighted the significance of KLA's decision to grow in Newport.
'We have a globally renowned compound semiconductor cluster here in Wales,' said Jo Stevens, Secretary of State for Wales. 'KLA's investment strengthens our position as a leader in this vital and growing industry — driving innovation, economic growth, and opportunity for people here in Newport and beyond.'
As KLA opens its doors to a new era of innovation, Newport stands ready to reap the benefits, more jobs, enhanced skills development, and a place on the global map as a city helping to power the technologies of tomorrow.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Charming Welsh pub goes on sale for the same price as London bedsit - which would YOU choose?
A charming Welsh pub has gone up for sale for the same price as a London bedsit. The watering hole, in the centre of a small village in Pontypool is to go up for auction for a shocking price and those living in the UK's capital might think it's a bargain compared to the steep house prices they're used to. The recently refurbished property is located in the village of Little Mill just North of Newport and only a 40 minute drive away from the Welsh capital Cardiff. The charming pub, sold by Savills - National Auctions, comes with its own private car park, a fully commercial kitchen and a huge beer garden. The listing even reveals the pub comes with accommodation for the landlord with rooms above and all for just £270,000. For the same price as a bedsit in London, buyers can enjoy three bedrooms, a bathroom and store room all above their business, with an entrance at the rear - away from prying pub regulars. Photos from The South Wales Argus also show a ground floor containing a fully functioning pub kitchen and prep room, male and female toilets and access to a spacious beer garden with grassy banks and several picnic tables. Earlier this month, the pub, The Little Jockey took to Facebook to sell of some of its assets including an outside bar in an Ivor Williams Horsebox which included a gin bar and a Prosecco slush puppy machine all for just £4,500 and the advert added it was all fully towable with electric and water hookup available making it 'ideal for summer festivals'. The pub had been struggling since January when they took to Facebook to ask its customers how to keep itself afloat. In a post they wrote: 'Hospitality is getting harder every year with rising costs it's a very fine line… we need ideas and ways to produce income. 'We don't want to close in the week to save on staff and bills we want to be able to keep our staff working and the pub thriving so we need to adapt and make things a little different.' The pub had been beset by difficulties last year when they were unable to open for Christmas because of a flood leaving their bar and cellar unsalvageable and despite picking themselves back, the owner was unable to keep things going and put the pub up for sale at the start of the year. While no doubt the Pontypool community were upset at their local boozer closing, potential investors may be shocked to find that for less than £300,000 investors could enjoy a home and a business in one for the same amount would only buy them a bedsit in south east London. Rather than views over rolling hills, buyers could have a pokey balcony and instead of running their own business, they may find themselves cooped up in a flat block in Peckam. The reception room leads out on to a small balcony overlooking neighbouring gardens rather than views over the welsh hills that the picturesque village pub provides In the up-and-coming area, house-hunters could afford a two-bedroom, one bathroom flat 'in need of some updating' according to the Rightmove listing. The listing says the 'generously sized split level flat' is chain free and 'situated in a quiet location in Peckham'. Pictures show a galley kitchen with a small worktop and cupboard area, built-in oven with grey tiled floors and white walls on the first floor. Up a set of stairs, potential buyers are greeted with two bedrooms, a small bathroom and a reception room with a balcony accessed by a PVC door. The balcony overlooks neighbours and their gardens and the potential family home is just a 20 minute walk away from Queens Road Peckham station.
Geeky Gadgets
an hour ago
- Geeky Gadgets
Microsoft 365 Copilot's Create App : The Future of Effortless Content Creation?
What if creating professional-grade content was no longer a time-consuming, multi-tool process? Imagine generating polished videos, tailored visuals, and branded documents—all from a single platform, guided by the power of AI. With the launch of the Create app for Microsoft 365 Copilot, this vision becomes a reality. Seamlessly integrated into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, this innovative tool enables users to produce a wide range of content with remarkable speed and precision. Whether you're an individual creator or part of a collaborative team, the Create app promises to transform how you approach content creation, letting you focus on creativity while automating the repetitive. John Moore explores how the Create app redefines efficiency and personalization in modern content workflows. From AI-driven image generation to platform-specific resizing, the app offers a suite of tools designed to meet diverse needs, all while maintaining brand consistency. You'll discover how its intuitive interface, advanced customization features, and seamless export options make it accessible to both beginners and seasoned professionals. But beyond its features, the Create app raises an intriguing question: how far can AI take us in simplifying creative processes without compromising quality? Let's explore the possibilities together. Microsoft 365 Create App Overview Accessing the Create App Getting started with the Create app is simple and accessible. To use the app, you need a Microsoft 365 Copilot license and access to the Copilot web interface. The app is available online at or allowing you to work from any device without the need for additional software installations. This web-based approach ensures that users across industries can access the app conveniently, whether they are working from a desktop, tablet, or smartphone. The flexibility of this platform makes it a practical solution for professionals on the go or teams collaborating remotely. Key Features: Comprehensive Tools for Content Creation The Create app uses advanced AI to simplify complex tasks, allowing users to produce a wide variety of content types efficiently. Its core features include: Image Generation: Use text prompts to create custom images, apply stylistic effects, and adjust dimensions to meet specific requirements. Use text prompts to create custom images, apply stylistic effects, and adjust dimensions to meet specific requirements. Video Production: Combine text-to-speech scripts, stock footage, and PowerPoint slides to assemble professional-grade videos. Combine text-to-speech scripts, stock footage, and PowerPoint slides to assemble professional-grade videos. Custom Forms and Visuals: Design banners, posters, and other visuals tailored to specific formats and resolutions. Design banners, posters, and other visuals tailored to specific formats and resolutions. Document Drafting: Generate Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files with AI assistance, significantly reducing the time and effort required for content creation. These features cater to a broad spectrum of users, from individual creators to enterprise teams, offering tools that adapt to various content needs. By automating repetitive tasks, the app allows users to focus on creativity and strategy. New Create App for Microsoft 365 Copilot Watch this video on YouTube. Here are more guides from our previous articles and guides related to Microsoft 365 Copilot that you may find helpful. Personalization and Branding Capabilities The Create app places a strong emphasis on customization, allowing users to align their content with specific needs and brand identities. Key personalization features include: Advanced Image Editing: Modify images with tools for background removal, color adjustments, and layering effects to achieve a polished look. Modify images with tools for background removal, color adjustments, and layering effects to achieve a polished look. Corporate Branding: Use pre-configured brand kits to ensure consistency across all materials, from presentations to social media posts. Use pre-configured brand kits to ensure consistency across all materials, from presentations to social media posts. Platform-Specific Resizing: Quickly resize content for various platforms, including social media, print, and digital displays. These tools ensure that your content remains professional, visually cohesive, and aligned with your brand, regardless of the platform or purpose. This level of customization makes the app particularly valuable for businesses aiming to maintain a consistent brand image. User-Friendly Interface and Design The Create app is designed with an intuitive interface that simplifies the content creation process, making it accessible to users of all skill levels. Key interface features include: Templates: Access a wide selection of customizable templates to jumpstart your projects and save time. Access a wide selection of customizable templates to jumpstart your projects and save time. Industry-Specific Designs: Explore templates tailored to sectors such as healthcare, retail, and education, making sure relevance and professionalism. Explore templates tailored to sectors such as healthcare, retail, and education, making sure relevance and professionalism. Prompt Refinement: Edit and refine AI-generated outputs iteratively to achieve your desired results, giving you greater control over the final product. This intuitive design ensures that both beginners and experienced professionals can navigate the app with ease, allowing them to produce high-quality content efficiently. Export and Sharing Options The Create app simplifies the process of exporting and sharing your content, making sure it is ready for use across various platforms. Export options include: File Formats: Download your creations in formats such as PNG, JPEG, or PDF, depending on your specific needs. Download your creations in formats such as PNG, JPEG, or PDF, depending on your specific needs. Content Credentials: Embed transparency and attribution details directly into your files to maintain integrity and authenticity. These features make it easy to distribute your content while preserving its quality and making sure proper attribution. Whether you are sharing internally within a team or publishing externally, the app provides the tools to do so seamlessly. Learning Resources and Support To help users maximize the potential of the Create app, Microsoft offers a variety of learning resources and support options. These include: FAQs and Documentation: Access detailed guides and troubleshooting tips on and . Access detailed guides and troubleshooting tips on and . Step-by-Step Tutorials: Learn advanced features such as brand kits and video creation through upcoming tutorials designed to enhance your skills. These resources are designed to help users navigate the app's features effectively, making sure they can optimize their workflow and achieve their content creation goals. Empowering Modern Content Creation The Create app for Microsoft 365 Copilot offers a versatile and efficient solution for modern content creation. By combining AI-driven tools with seamless integration into the Microsoft 365 ecosystem, it enables users to generate high-quality content with minimal effort. From crafting custom visuals and videos to applying corporate branding and resizing for various platforms, the app provides a comprehensive suite of tools to meet diverse content needs. Its user-friendly interface, robust export options, and extensive learning resources make it an invaluable asset for both enterprises and individual creators. Whether you are a seasoned professional or new to content creation, the Create app equips you with the tools to produce impactful, professional-grade content efficiently. Media Credit: John Moore Filed Under: AI, Guides Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
South Wales Argus
2 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Coffee shop approved for unit at Newport Road, Caldicot
Rookman Properties asked for change of use planning permission from A1 class, which covers retail uses, to a mixed A1/A3 which covers food including takeaways and eating in. Information submitted on behalf of the firm said it is increasingly hard to let shops in Caldicot. The unit is at number seven Wesley Buildings, Newport Road the main shopping precinct and has been advertised since September 2024 with a rent of £19,500 a year. Chepstow and Bristol-based property consultant Julian Bladen, who has had joint responsibilty for marketing the property, said in a letter provided to Monmouthshire County Council's planning department one unit in the town has been available to let for more than five years. Mr Bladen stated in his letter: 'Unfortunately, there is limited interest in the property and this reflects the general situation in Caldicot town centre. There are currently multiple vacant retail premises and a very low level of prospective occupiers for A1 use operators. 'Some properties in the town centre have been vacant for several years, which clearly illustrates the shortage of active requirements from A1 use operators to take space in the immediate vicinity of the subject property. This includes 43 Newport Road Caldicot, which we have advertised since November 2019.' The application stated the council had, in June last year, approved a change of use application from office use to retail. A previous application for A3 use was approved, in 2014, but wasn't implemented. The application stated the hot food will be limited to toasting, warming and reheating meaning no primary cooking requiring a commercial kitchen would be required or an extract, flue and duct. Permission for branding and adverts will be sought at a later stage. The council has approved the application with opening times of 6.30am to 7pm Monday to Saturday and 8am to 6pm on Sundays.
