KLA Corporation, a leader in semiconductor process control and enabling technologies, has announced the opening of a new $138 million research and development and manufacturing facility in Newport, Wales, U.K. This expansion builds upon the company's longstanding presence in the region, particularly through its Wales-based division, SPTS Technologies, which has been at the forefront of semiconductor equipment innovation since 1984. The new 237,000-square-foot facility will accommodate up to 750 employees and features 25,000 square feet of R&D clean rooms and 35,000 square feet of advanced manufacturing space. This development aims to bolster KLA's capacity to meet the increasing demand for advanced semiconductor chips, driven by industry trends such as artificial intelligence. The investment also reinforces Wales' position as a burgeoning hub for technological excellence and semiconductor innovation.