Intel's commitment to creating a first-of-its-kind end-to-end leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing value chain in Europe reached yet another key milestone in June this year with the announcement of a new state-of-the-art assembly and test facility in Wrocław West, Lower Silesia, Poland. The company plans to invest up to $4.6 billion in the facility, which will increase Intel's production capacity and help meet the growing demand for advanced semiconductors.
When Intel announced this critical new investment in Poland, who exactly was to lead the operations of the new site was not yet known. Today, Intel is thrilled to announce Greg Anderson as the new Assembly and Test Facility General Manager for Intel's Wrocław West site. With an Intel career spanning over two decades, Greg has built up broad knowledge of Intel manufacturing. He has a proven track record in growing and overseeing assembly and test operations in Intel’s US operations. This makes Greg Anderson the ideal person for the Site General Manager role, with the right experience to realise Intel’s semiconductor manufacturing ambitions - for the new Assembly and Test Facility in Wrocław West, and for the important role this site plays in building Intel’s leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing supply chain in Europe.
During an interview with Greg, as he immerses himself in his new Site General Manager role, he shared his expectations for the new Wrocław West site, the challenges he anticipates, and his view on the role that this new investment plays in Intel's broader semiconductor strategy.
Greg, tell us a bit about yourself. What experiences have led you to taking up the new position as Intel’s Site General Manager in Wrocław West, Poland?
I was born and raised on a wheat and soybean farm in North Dakota and after studying chemical engineering moved to Washington State to work in the public sector. After 3 years I decided the private sector was a better fit for me and accepted a position with a chemical manufacturer in Portland, Oregon. In 2001, I joined Intel as a photolithography engineer. Since then, I have held various management positions up through the engineering ranks, from group leader to factory manager. Most recently, I started up the first high-volume advanced packaging facility at Intel.
And a bit about me and my family, we love spending time outdoors - in the summer we like to hike in the Cascade Mountains, and in winter my kids and I enjoy snowboarding.
Deciding to take up a role that means moving from the US to Europe must have been a big decision for you. What made you decide to take up this position in Poland? And what have been your impressions of the role so far?
On a personal level, through my career at Intel, I have been involved in countless facility expansions and refurbishments. But a long-held career goal of mine has been to be part of a green-field investment, building a facility starting from zero. And so this opportunity is something I have wanted for some time.
When it comes to my first impressions though, honestly, I have been impressed by the amount of enthusiasm around the investment, in terms of what it will bring to the local community, but also to Poland. I am excited to work closely with those directly involved in the construction of this new site, with the existing Intel team in Gdańsk, and with the local community.
What do you think the biggest challenge will be in leading Intel’s Assembly and Test Facility in Poland?
First will be making sure that Intel is fully integrated in, and established as a respected and appreciated member of, the local community. That is my number one job. If we do this, then everything else is easier. It’s not just about the ‘wafers in and the finished products out’. It’s about all the other things we do around our investments at a local level, and that Intel does in every location where it is established – volunteering, community outreach, support of education, and making sure we put more back into the community than we are taking out. In my time in Oregon for example, I have been very involved in recruiting at universities and community colleges for Intel’s technician ranks, working directly with them and in promoting Intel as an employer of choice.
What are you most excited about in the new role?
First of all, I think it’s important to state that this site in Wrocław is an important part of Intel’s ambitions in building an end-to-end supply chain in Europe. This project is important for Poland, and it is important for the EU because without the Wrocław site, which completes the entire back-end processing part of the manufacturing process, the larger goal cannot be achieved. I am excited and honoured to be part of it.
That said, I think that what I am most looking forward to is the role we will play at a local level. For me personally, it is also the opportunity of moving to and settling into a new community with all the learning that comes along the way. I am confident it will be an incredibly rewarding experience.
How are your Polish language skills shaping up?
I have already been warned that Polish is a particularly challenging language. But to give you a sense of our commitment - as soon as I was offered a job, my wife and I immediately started taking Polish language lessons. And I have to admit - she is way ahead of me! We both believe it is critical to learn the language to truly integrate into the community and importantly, as a gateway to uncovering the delights of Polish cuisine and culture!