Korean Semiconductor Suppliers Expand US Operations
Equipment manufacturers are establishing local production and support bases to meet rising demand for AI chips.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Semiconductors
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Korean semiconductor and battery equipment firms are rapidly expanding their presence in the United States to serve domestic clients and reduce reliance on Chinese components. Companies like Hanmi Semiconductor, Seojin System, and Shinsung ST have recently opened or built facilities to support the growth of AI data centers.
Why it matters
The shift aims to shorten supply chains for U.S. chipmakers as demand for energy storage and advanced semiconductors surges. By localizing support, Korean suppliers hope to integrate more deeply with U.S. companies currently building new domestic manufacturing plants.
Hanmi Semiconductor maintains the top global market share in thermal compression bonders, with 95 percent of its sales previously dependent on SK hynix. These bonders are critical for high-performance chip packaging now being scaled in U.S.-based plants.
The players
Hanmi Semiconductor
This company is a leading global supplier of thermal compression bonders used in semiconductor manufacturing.
Intel
Intel is a major American technology corporation that operates high-volume chip packaging facilities.
Kotra
The Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency is a state-funded organization that facilitates international business partnerships.
SK hynix
This major South Korean supplier of dynamic random-access memory chips is a primary partner for semiconductor equipment makers.
The details
Korean suppliers are establishing production and technical support bases in states like Indiana and Kentucky to align with the domestic expansion of giants like Intel. Additionally, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (Kotra) has facilitated extensive networking to bridge the gap between these suppliers and their U.S. client base.
Timeline
July 2026: Seojin System began operations at a plant in Indiana.
October 16, 2026: Hanmi Semiconductor opened a new subsidiary in San Jose.
2027: Micron is scheduled to begin construction on a new plant in Idaho.
2028: SK hynix is scheduled to begin building its Indiana production facility.
The Tech Race
The regional expansion of these suppliers follows the pattern set by the U.S. effort to reduce supply chain reliance on Chinese components. By localizing production, these firms are replacing fragmented international logistics with a tighter domestic ecosystem for critical chip-making equipment.
The localized presence of these equipment makers helps accelerate the construction of domestic chip plants, which could increase the future availability of advanced electronics. These supply chain improvements are designed to prevent production bottlenecks that often lead to consumer product delays.
The takeaway
The movement of critical supply chain infrastructure to U.S. soil highlights a fundamental shift toward regionalized manufacturing in the tech sector. Readers should note that these developments often signal long-term stability in the production capacity of high-demand consumer technologies.
What happens next
Micron is set to begin building its Idaho plant in 2027, followed by the start of construction for the SK hynix Indiana facility in 2028.
Further reading
For more on the industry's changing landscape, visit the Semiconductors section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Koreajoongangdaily.
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