Advanced Micro Devices today officially opened its new microprocessor test, mark and pack (TMP) facility in Suzhou Industrial Park, China. The fab currently works with AMD’s Socket A processors, but will soon move to the company’s more advanced eight generation chips. AMD also has serious plans to expand the facility, which may emphasize plans to boost microprocessors production.

“With our new TMP plant now online, a growing number of partners and customers in China will have greater access to AMD’s leading technology solutions,” said Karen Guo, corporate vice president and president of AMD Greater China.

The new facility, which began rolling out products last December, occupies 11 000 square meters and is located adjacent to Spansion (China) Limited’s existing Flash memory assembly and TMP building. AMD has committed to investing a total of $33.4 million in the TMP facility through 2009 and has received approval from the Chinese government for a total investment of up to $100 million. AMD also plans to hire approximately 300 new employees to staff the facility during the next few years.

The new TMP facility is currently testing, marking and packing “seventh generation products”, including AMD Sempron processors. AMD plans to begin moving its eighth-generation microprocessors through the facility in the second half of 2005.

“I am proud to say that in less than six months, we were able to go from construction to complete equipment move-in and pilot operation. This incredible accomplishment was made possible only through the hard work and dedication of AMD’s highly skilled employees in Suzhou and our partners, all of whom worked tirelessly to bring this facility online as rapidly as possible,” Mr. Guo added.

AMD’s archrival Intel Corp. also has TMP facility in China.