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Analysts voice doubts over Globalfoundries plans |
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Written by Peter Scott
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Sunday, 10 May 2009 13:49 |
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Believe the chipmaker needs to land more clients
After consulting the crystal ball, several analysts claim
Globalfoundries will face an uphill struggle to meet its goals, and
that its New York fab plans could even be unsuccessful.
Tech consultant Adolfo Gutierrez thinks building the fab itself is not
an issue, but says Globalfoundries has to get some major, non-AMD
clients on board soon. "The land purchase is meaningless, even the
start of the construction
is superfluous... unless large clients show up very soon," Gutierrez
said, adding that the company will have to snatch some of TSMC's clients to be truly successful.
Jim McGregor, chief
technology strategist with In-Stat, says he has no doubt Fab 2 will be
built, but he points out that construction of additional facilities
will depend on getting more clients. "GlobalFoundries has an advantage
of some very deep
pockets right now. The later fabs will depend on the market and the
company's ability to land some key customers, but right now they are in
a great position." The deep pockets McGregor is referring to are those
of Abu Dhabi-based ATIC.
Kyle York, a local hack, is concerned about the cost of the project to
Saratoga County and the state of New York. Saratoga County is building
a $67 million water line for the facility, while New York state has pledged a $1.2 billion incentive package, including $650 million in
cash, to be used for construction, as well as R&D costs.
More here.
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