Ford and GlobalFoundries Seek to Boost Supply of Semiconductors

Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn and GlobalFoundries Inc., a leader in feature-rich semiconductor manufacturing, today announced a strategic collaboration to advance semiconductor manufacturing and technology development within the United States, aiming to boost chip supplies for Ford and the U.S. automotive industry.
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Ford Motor Co. and GlobalFoundries Inc. announced a collaboration to advance semiconductor manufacturing and technology development in the U.S., aiming to boost chip supplies. // Stock Photo

Ford Motor Co. in Dearborn and GlobalFoundries Inc., a leader in feature-rich semiconductor manufacturing, today announced a strategic collaboration to advance semiconductor manufacturing and technology development within the United States, aiming to boost chip supplies for Ford and the U.S. automotive industry.

The companies have signed a non-binding agreement that opens the door for GlobalFoundries to create further semiconductor supply for Ford’s current vehicle lineup and joint research and development projects as well as address the growing demand for feature-rich chips to support the automotive industry.

The collaboration could include semiconductor solutions for ADAS, battery management systems, and in-vehicle networking for an automated, connected, and electrified future. GlobalFoundries and Ford also will explore expanded semiconductor manufacturing opportunities to support the automotive industry.

“It’s critical that we create new ways of working with suppliers to give Ford and America greater independence in delivering the technologies and features our customers will most value in the future,” says Jim Farley, president and CEO of Ford. “This agreement is just the beginning, and a key part of our plan to vertically integrate key technologies and capabilities that will differentiate Ford far into the future.”

The announcement is consistent with both companies’ commitment to build innovative business relationships to regain supply-demand balance for chips in the auto industry as well as efforts to further accelerate technology innovation for the U.S. auto industry. The collaboration leverages both companies’ strengths to better compete, innovate and serve customers.

“GlobalFoundries is committed to building innovative alliances with the world’s leading companies to enable the features in products that are pervasive throughout people’s lives,” said Tom Caulfield, CEO of GlobalFoundries. “Our agreement with Ford is a key step forward in strengthening our cooperation and partnership with automakers to spur innovation, bring new features to market faster, and ensure long-term, supply-demand balance.”

The strategic collaboration does not involve cross-ownership between the two companies.

Based in Matla, N.Y. (north of Albany), GlobalFoundries is one of the world’s leading semiconductor manufacturers and has operations in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

In related news, Roelant de Waard, general manager of passenger vehicles for Ford of Europe, has elected to retire effective Dec. 31 after more than 30 years of dedicated service to the company. The appointment of his replacement will be the subject of a future announcement.

“Roelant has been an outstanding leader at Ford and that was never truer than over the past years, being responsible for defining the Passenger Vehicle strategy in a time when electrification represents the most transformative change of our industry in over 100 years,” says Stuart Rowley, president of Ford of Europe.

Roelant de Waard joined Ford in 1990 and during his career has held assignments in the Netherlands, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany. In January 2011, he was elected an officer of the company and appointed to the position of vice president of marketing, sales, and service in Ford of Europe.