Entrepreneurship

Saxony Economic Development Agency: Saxony and Arizona Expand Cooperation in the Semiconductor Industry

October 19, 2026. The Saxony Economic Development Corporation (WFS) and the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) used the occasion of SEMICON West, the leading U.S. industry trade show held in San Francisco from October 13–15, to bring together stakeholders from both semiconductor regions and foster closer ties.

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Stock photo of the U.S. Photo: Unsplash

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Silicon Saxony

Marketing, Kommunikation und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit

Manfred-von-Ardenne-Ring 20 F

Telefon: +49 351 8925 886

redaktion@silicon-saxony.de

WFS Managing Director Thomas Horn explains: “Arizona and Saxony are among the world’s leading microelectronics hubs, where very large new semiconductor capacities are currently being established. This means that chip manufacturing isn’t the only sector growing on both sides. Suppliers, research, skilled workers, and infrastructure must also keep pace. This is precisely where we see a concrete benefit of closer cooperation. Saxon companies gain better access to one of the most important semiconductor markets in the U.S., while at the same time we can offer companies from Arizona direct access to Europe’s largest microelectronics hub. We are pleased that we have been able to further expand our collaboration with our partners in Arizona and thus build on the discussions held during the Silicon Saxony Days in June.”

“Both Arizona and Saxony have emerged as global leaders in semiconductor manufacturing, innovation, and investment,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “As our ecosystems continue to grow, it is of immense value to build closer connections between companies, research institutions, and talent pools on both sides of the Atlantic. We are grateful to our partners in Saxony and look forward to working together to further develop our leadership role in the semiconductor sector.”

Kickoff at the Transatlantic Executive Dinner

The event kicked off the evening before the trade show with a joint Transatlantic Executive Dinner. The event brings together executives from the semiconductor industry as well as representatives from business, research, and institutions in both regions in an informal setting. The focus was on discussing the development of the two regions as well as concrete opportunities for collaboration between companies and partners from Saxony and Arizona.

Arizona: A Semiconductor Hub with Strong Investment Momentum

Arizona is a region in the U.S. with a particularly high concentration of semiconductor manufacturing and a strong expansion of production capacity. Since 2020, Arizona has attracted more than 70 expansion and new-location projects in the semiconductor industry, representing an investment volume of over 314 billion U.S. dollars. These include investments across the entire value chain, from semiconductor manufacturing to equipment and materials, as well as advanced packaging and research. 

Starting in 2027, Phoenix will also be the permanent host city for the SEMICON West trade show.

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Photo: unsplash

Contact info

Silicon Saxony

Marketing, Kommunikation und Öffentlichkeitsarbeit

Manfred-von-Ardenne-Ring 20 F

Telefon: +49 351 8925 886

redaktion@silicon-saxony.de