(Provided photo-Left-right)-Aaron Prato, Atlas Copco, President, US Holdings; Rochelle Stein, Genesee County Legislature Chair; Koen Lauwers, Edwards, President, Semiconductor Division; US Senator Charles E. Schumer; Geert Follens, Atlas Copco, President, Vacuum Technique Business Area; Hope Knight, Empire State Development, Commissioner, President & CEO; Mark Masse, GCEDC, President & CEO; Matt Hurlbutt, Greater Rochester Enterprise, President & CEO; Rob Crossen, Town of Alabama, Supervisor.
By Mike Pettinella
For Video News Service
With U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, the nation’s biggest advocate for the semiconductor industry, in attendance, leaders of Edwards Vacuum and its parent company, Atlas Copco Group, this morning marked “a meaningful moment” toward the construction of a $319 million dry pump manufacturing facility at the WNY Science, Technology & Advanced Manufacturing Park in the Town of Alabama.
More than 50 people from economic development agencies and local government were on hand for what Edwards Vacuum designated as the Genesee Facility Milestone Ceremony.
Geert Follens, president of the Vacuum Technique Business Area for Atlas Copco Group, said that the production facility at the STAMP site initially will hire 280 people for “well-paid jobs” after its expected opening sometime in 2025, and will expand its workforce (reportedly to as many as 600 employees) as the project reaches its second and third phases.
“Today, we celebrate a meaningful moment in our journey,” Follens said. “Construction of this facility marks the beginning of a new chapter filled with promise and potential. We look forward to seeing the dynamic growth and progress that will come from this project.”
Follens touted Atlas Copco as an industrial group “renowned for its innovative solutions and sustainable productivity.”
“We employ more than 8,000 people today in the U.S., and we have more than 100 locations already,” he said. “Edwards within Atlas Copco plays a vital role in driving growth, particularly in the semiconductor business. Edwards’ expertise and cutting-edge technology have been key contributors to our success and expansion in this critical sector.”
(Rendering of new building at STAMP in Alabama)
For its part, Edwards Vacuum employs 2,400 people in America, with seven production facilities, he said.
Follens credited Schumer for his efforts in passing the CHIPS and Science Act in 2022. The legislation authorizes around $280 billion in new funding to support domestic research and manufacturing of semiconductors in the U.S., including subsidies for chip manufacturing on American soil.
“Our Genesee project is a testament to our dedication to supporting this initiative for our U.S. customers,” Follens said. “Beyond its technological and environmental significance, this facility will play a crucial role in nurturing high tech jobs and developing the workforce ecosystem within the local community.”
Follens mentioned the phone calls with Schumer – conversations that persuaded him to build a new manufacturing facility at STAMP.
“I remember our phone calls, what a year, a year and a half ago, where you tried to convince me to choose this part of the world to build our newest factory. And you mentioned the benefits … earlier,” he said, directing his words to Schumer.
“For me, there were two extra things – one, which may sound small, you gave me your personal mobile number, which shows commitment that you were fully behind this initiative. And second, I asked you a question: ‘Senator, are you sure you will be re-elected?’ Which we will now classify as a stupid European question.”
That prompted Schumer to proclaim, “I am the first senator in New York ever to be elected to five terms,” drawing laughter and applause.
Schumer, the first of several speakers, thanked the state, regional and local economic partners – including Mark Masse, president of the Genesee County Economic Development Center; Rochelle Stein, chair of the Genesee County Legislature, and Rob Crossen, supervisor of the Town of Alabama – who worked to make the facility a reality.
He then had some fun with the name, Alabama, stating, “I hope our friends from across the pond (Sweden and England) as you say, didn’t think this was the other (state of) Alabama,” Schumer said. “This is the most important Alabama to us. Sweet Home Alabama right here in New York.”
Continuing, he said “what an historic day this is for Genesee County, all of Western New York and for Upstate.”
“The reason we’re so happy is this,” he said, holding up the architect’s rendering of the completed building. “We’re thrilled to celebrate the construction of Edwards Vacuum’s new semiconductor, dry pump manufacturing factory. Six hundred new good paying jobs, hundreds of construction jobs. A four-letter word is what is makes us so happy about this project – J O B S, jobs.”
Schumer said workers at the facility “will build some of the most sophisticated cutting-edge equipment for the semiconductor industry, not just in New York and not just in America, but in the world.”
“This is one of the world class plants right here in Genesee County.”
He said the story of the Edwards Vacuum plant will be repeated over and over again along what he calls “the semiconductor superhighway I-90 as it runs from Albany all the way to Buffalo through Rochester and Syracuse.”
Schumer said his vision was that Genesee Valley could compete with Silicon Valley – and was quick to point out the advantages that sites such as STAMP offer.
Recalling his talks with Follens, he said, “I told him, we had five advantages — a great workforce, plenty of cheap power, plenty of clean water, a shovel ready site here at STAMP and the fifth advantage (was that) you had the Majority Leader of the United States Senate who will do whatever he can to make this happen for you.”
Other speakers were Kent Stobbart, vice president/operations of Edwards Vacuum semiconductor division; Hope Knight, president/chief executive officer/commissioner of Empire State Development; Masse; Stein; Crossen; and Matt Hurlbutt, president/chief executive officer of Greater Rochester Enterprise.
A groundbreaking ceremony and a tour of the active construction site took place following the speeches
