EMD Electronics Opens $200M Semiconductor Innovation Hub in Wisconsin
Governor Tony Evers and Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) CEO John W. Miller joined EMD Electronics to inaugurate a new 38,000-square-foot research and development facility in Sheboygan Falls. The facility is part of a $200 million investment by EMD Electronics, the North American arm of Merck KGaA, to boost advanced materials for semiconductor manufacturing. The project is expected to create 44 high-paying jobs upon completion.
The new facility focuses on critical sectors like semiconductors, which require advanced materials for next-generation chip performance. It includes eight specialized laboratories supporting the entire product development lifecycle, from discovery to hazard testing. The facility aims to accelerate innovation by working closely with customers to scale new materials from development to commercial production.
WEDC is supporting the expansion with up to $4.5 million in performance-based tax credits, contingent on capital investment and job creation. Governor Evers highlighted the importance of such investments in building a 21st-century economy and creating high-paying jobs in the region. The facility is designed to reduce its environmental footprint, aiming for LEED Gold certification, and is powered by renewable energy, including geothermal and heat pumps.
The investment is part of EMD Electronics' broader $1 billion, five-year plan to enhance its innovation and manufacturing capabilities in the U.S. The company has also announced expansions in Carlsbad, California, and Catoosa, Oklahoma, as part of its multi-year investment strategy.