Exploring New Opportunities for Welsh Manufacturers in the Defence Sector
Global semiconductor leader KLA Corporation has officially opened a new $138 million (£110 million) research, development, and manufacturing centre in Newport, South Wales , marking a major milestone for the region’s growing role in the global semiconductor supply chain. The new 237,000-square-foot facility expands KLA’s presence in Wales through its local product division, SPTS Technologies , which has been pioneering semiconductor equipment innovation in the country since 1984. SPTS has previously received multiple Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in both R&D and export, and continues to attract world-class technical talent to the region.
Llanelli-based steel fabrication company, Shufflebottom Limited, took centre stage at a recent event in the Senedd, where industry leaders, apprentices, and policymakers gathered to celebrate the heritage and future of the Welsh steel sector. The event, hosted by the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA), reinforced the industry’s deep-rooted importance to Welsh communities and the economy, while also highlighting the opportunities ahead for a greener, more sustainable future. The event also discussed the steelwork industry, which is worth approximately £1.6 billion per year and employs around 60,000 people in the UK
