Industry News

Vedanta appoints 34-year industry veteran for its semiconductor business in India  

Mike Young appointed Senior Vice President, Project Management Office and Manufacturing Operations

Mumbai, May 25, 2023: Vedanta-Foxconn Semiconductors Limited (VFSL), a joint venture between Foxconn and Vedanta Group, has appointed Mike Young as Senior Vice President, Project Management Office and Manufacturing Operations. In this role, Mike will oversee the seamless execution of manufacturing and operational processes as VFSL looks at setting up a state-of-the-art semiconductor fab in India.

“Mike Young brings with him 34 years of extensive experience in front-end semiconductor manufacturing across multiple geographies with significant contribution to two high volume startups,” said David Reed, CEO, VFSL. “We are delighted to welcome him to Vedanta-Foxconn Semiconductors Limited. He will play a critical role in establishing best-in-class semiconductor manufacturing processes and operations.”

“The global semiconductor industry is projected to reach a trillion dollars in the coming decade, and India is at the cusp of becoming a major semiconductor player,” said Mike Young. “I am excited about this opportunity to work for a joint venture between two leading industry players, namely Vedanta and Foxconn, and look forward to creating global impact with the India semiconductor fab.”

Mike joins Vedanta after taking a short sabbatical from his last role as CEO of Systems on Silicon Manufacturing Company (SSMC), Singapore. Prior to this, he served as CEO of X-FAB Sarawak, Malaysia. He has extensively worked in areas of operations, yield, and device engineering with global leaders like X-FAB UK, STMicroelectronics, Siemens, Atmel, and Plessey Semiconductors. Throughout his career, Mike has demonstrated excellence in the governance and control of high performing facilities through a combination of effective man management, continuous improvement, cost control, and operational performance enhancement.  

He has a master’s degree in Microelectronics Engineering from Middlesex University, UK, and a bachelor’s degree in Physics from Aston University, UK.  

Vedanta has been on an aggressive talent acquisition drive globally to attract leaders from the semiconductor industry. VFSL appointed industry veteran David Reed as CEO in February and welcomed Lawrence (Wong Chee Yoong) as Senior Director – Human Resources in April. Most recently, the company hired IBM veteran Terry Daly as Advisor. The company continues to build a team of highly experienced personnel to be part of its semiconductor business.

About Vedanta-Foxconn Semiconductors Limited (VFSL) 

Vedanta-Foxconn Semiconductors Limited (VFSL) is a joint venture between Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. – better known as Foxconn (鴻海精密), a Taiwanese multinational electronics giant, and Vedanta Resources Limited, a globally diversified natural resources company.  VFSL will establish an integrated semiconductor fab foundry in India. In phase 1, the company will set up capacity of 40,000 wafers per month to cater to applications in displays, consumer electronics, industrial, mobiles, network equipment and automotives.

About Vedanta Group

Vedanta Group (“Vedanta”) is a diversified global natural resources and technology conglomerate. The group produces Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver, Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, Nickel, Aluminium, Power, Renewable Energy, and Display glass.   Vedanta has operations in India, Zambia, Namibia, South Africa, Korea and Taiwan.   Vedanta is foraying into the manufacture of semiconductors and displays, with plans to set up an integrated electronics center in India and is partnering with Foxconn for semiconductor manufacturing. With an empowered talent pool globally, Vedanta places strong emphasis on partnering with all its stakeholders based on the core values of trust, sustainability, growth, entrepreneurship, integrity, respect and care. Good governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta’s strategy, with a strong focus on health, safety and environment, and on enhancing the lives of local communities. The group is focused on becoming the ESG leader in the natural resources sector and is committed to reducing carbon emissions to zero by 2050 or sooner. It has pledged $5 billion over the next 10 years to accelerate the transition to net zero operations. The group’s CSR philosophy is to eradicate poverty and malnutrition with a focus on development of women & children through the marquee project Nand Ghar.

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