Adelaide manufacturer Hendon Semiconductors receives $1.3m grant

Local Adelaide manufacturer Hendon Semiconductors has received a $1.3 million grant as part of federal government’s Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI) Round 2.

The investment grant, paired with a matching of funds from Hendon Semiconductors, will modernise the company’s semiconductor and thick-film design and fabrication facility via advanced manufacturing technology.

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Hendon Semiconductors is a division of engineering solutions provider Legend Corporation.

Operating for over 75 years, the local manufacturer specialises in the design and manufacture of microelectronic circuits and subassemblies to final turnkey products.

Currently, the company service businesses from the defence, medical, life sciences, rail, power distribution, housing, and consumer electronics industries.

“I’m thrilled at the opportunity to fast-track Hendon’s modernisation, particularly around our semiconductor and thick-film design and fabrication facility,” said Jason Gerard, General Manager of Hendon Semiconductors.

“I’m passionate about supporting Australian innovation and manufacturing and this grant will help us deliver greatly improved production efficiency, capability and capacity outcomes,” Gerard said.

A total investment of $2.6 million – including the matched funds from Hendon Semiconductors – will allow the company to procure and install state-of-the-art equipment including a horizontal diffusion furnace with nitrogen capability, a laser trimming system, two screen printers, two far-infrared belt dryers, and an automated optical inspection machine.

The company said the upgraded facility is set for completion in March 2024 after extensive installation, process improvements, industry 4.0 capabilities and full customer qualifications are completed.

Its modernised facility will address supply chain vulnerabilities in semiconductor thick-film applications, reduce disruption to domestic supply and service, increase design and production capability, and increase supply collaboration.

With future growth in international markets, the increased capability is set to create several new jobs and provide existing employees with critical skills training.

The government’s SCRI objectives include working with industry to identify supply options to address vulnerabilities, including those identified in the Sovereign Manufacturing Capability Plan, by incentivising Australian businesses to invest in capabilities through new equipment, technology, skills, and processes.