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Intel To Invest $7 Billion in Factory in Arizona, Employ 3,000 People (cnbc.com)

Intel CEO Brian Krzanich met with President Donald Trump on Wednesday, where the company announced it will invest $7 billion in a factory employing up to 3,000 people. From a report: The factory will be in Chandler, Arizona, the company said, and over 10,000 people in the Arizona area will support the factory. Krzanich confirmed to CNBC that the investment over the next three to four years would be to complete a previous plant, Fab 42, that was started and then left vacant. The 7-nanometer chips will be produced there will be "the most powerful computer chips on the planet," Krzanich said in the Oval Office with the Trump administration. Most Intel manufacturing happens in the U.S., Krzanich said. "America has a unique combination of talent, a vibrant business environment and access to global markets, which has enabled U.S. companies like Intel to foster economic growth and innovation," Krzanich said in a statement. "Our factories support jobs -- high-wage, high-tech manufacturing jobs that are the economic engines of the states where they are located."Farhad Manjoo, columnist at The New York Times, tweeted; "As far as I can tell the decision had nothing to do with Trump, but they decided to announce with Trump. Why? There was no federal subsidy or any other credit. So it's just a marketing decision to give Trump credit."

36 of 217 comments (clear)

  1. As far as a journalist can tell? by mveloso · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Journalists are idiots, who only know what they're told.

    Why would Intel be sharing its CapEx decision-making process with a journalist?

    If the Journalist really knew, he'd go back through his "notes" and find the list of where Intel's proposed fab was going to be, then hunt down the decision-making process.

    But he can't, so he basically is saying "I don't believe them because I have no information."

    What an f-tard.

    1. Re:As far as a journalist can tell? by epiphani · · Score: 4, Interesting

      You'll note there's nothing to not believe. The journalist was simply pointing out that there is no apparent reason for this announcement to come from Intel's CEO while he's in the Oval Office. Nothing in the announcement, brief, or subsequent details suggests this has anything at all to do with Trump. Except the location of the announcement.

      H's just confused about why it took place in the Oval Office. There's two possible reasons really:

      (1) Trump did something to prompt this decision. In which case, I would expect, based on Trump's personality, that he'd be telling everyone who will listen how he did it.
      (2) Trump didn't do anything except arrange for the announcement to come from inside the Oval. I personally think this is the case - it gives people (like you) that want to believe he's doing something a talking point, valid or not - and two, it gives Intel the perception of being both pro-trump and meh-trump at the same time.

      The short version here is that we're being fed something. I hesitate to call it bullshit, because nobody said anything weird - but it certainly looks like people are trying to play some kind of game here.

      --
      .
    2. Re:As far as a journalist can tell? by quantaman · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Journalists are idiots, who only know what they're told.

      Why would Intel be sharing its CapEx decision-making process with a journalist?

      If the Journalist really knew, he'd go back through his "notes" and find the list of where Intel's proposed fab was going to be, then hunt down the decision-making process.

      But he can't, so he basically is saying "I don't believe them because I have no information."

      What an f-tard.

      The past few months has been a steady line of CEOs coming to Trump to re-announce existing job creations, things that most definitely had nothing to do with Trump. But since Trump is a crony capitalist they recognize it's important to buy favour with Trump by giving him credit.

      The default assumption for any new job announcement credited to Trump should be that it's more of the same, jobs created for other reasons but credited to the President to curry favour.

      Unless there's evidence to the contrary there's sufficient information to assume this has nothing to do with Trump.

      --
      I stole this Sig
    3. Re:As far as a journalist can tell? by meta-monkey · · Score: 4, Interesting

      The short version here is that we're being fed something. I hesitate to call it bullshit, because nobody said anything weird - but it certainly looks like people are trying to play some kind of game here.

      Yes, this is PR, and Trump has said that one of the jobs of President is "chief cheerleader." So if you make jobs in the country, Trump is going to give you an bouquet. If you make jobs leave the country, he's going to give you a brickbat. Whether the decisions had anything to do with him or not are irrelevant.

      Economies are self-fulfilling prophecies. If people believe the economy is going to get better, they go out and spend money. This makes the economy better. If people believe the economy is going to get worse, they stop spending money. This makes the economy worse.

      --
      We don't have a state-run media we have a media-run state.
    4. Re:As far as a journalist can tell? by meta-monkey · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Trump is a cheerleader for economic growth. If you make jobs, he's going to give you good publicity. If you make jobs leave, he's going to give you bad publicity. This encourages companies to do business in the US, which grows the economy. Doesn't matter if it had anything to do with Trump's policies or not.

      --
      We don't have a state-run media we have a media-run state.
    5. Re:As far as a journalist can tell? by zaft · · Score: 2

      Read down in the article. The building was actually completed as a shell in 2014. So there would be plenty of reasons to finish it (buying equipment is hella expensive) and very little incentive to abandon it and move elsewhere.

  2. reasons enough: tax cuts and deregulatory policies by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    Does Farhad Manjoo actually read the rest of the NY Times?

    Wake up NY Times and start acting like a real fourth estate.

    https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/08/technology/trump-intel-chip-factory-arizona.html?_r=0

    "The factory, which will complement two other factories that Intel has in Chandler, Ariz., has been under consideration for several years. But Mr. Krzanich said that the tax cuts and deregulatory policies pushed by Mr. Trump had prompted the company to move forward with its plans."

  3. "the most powerful computer chips on the planet" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Does that mean they'll be 0.002% faster than the last generation of chips? I knew Intel's chips weren't improving at any great pace, but even I was surprised when I saw HardOCPs benchmarks comparing a five generation old Sandy Bridge 2600K to the latest Kaby Lake 7700K:

    http://www.hardocp.com/article/2017/01/13/kaby_lake_7700k_vs_sandy_bridge_2600k_ipc_review/2

    I'm not feeling any need to upgrade my i7 3770, and if I did I'd probably go for a Ryzen since the market desperately needs some competition.

    If Ryzen turns out to be good Intel will no doubt just bribe all the OEMs to use their chips, just like they did when AMD got well ahead of them with the Athlon.

  4. BK is doing the right thing by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Intel always builds its new fabs in chandler - so this really ISN'T news. What would be news would be if Intel were for some reason to break with this and not invest in chandler first.

    Considering how Trump trashed Boeing's share price - is it any wondering BK and the Intel board are giving the vainglorious moron the chance to bask in Intel's reflected glory ?

    This is the definition of a propaganda piece - roughly akin to when Kim Jong Un 'directs' nuclear tests or 'gives guidance' to actual surgeons in hospitals...

  5. Re:Trump scare maybe by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    I know you're trying to do yet more painting of Trump in a bad light by spreading "fake news" and "alternative facts", but if you'd bothered to keep up you'd know that two Republican senators voted no on Devos leaving a tie which had to be broken by Pence.

  6. He's making it up as he goes along! by martinX · · Score: 3, Insightful

    "As far as I can tell" = I have know information, no source and don't know anything about the industry, but I'll make something up anyway.

    --
    When they came for the communists, I said "He's next door. Take him away. Goddam commies."
  7. Re:Trump scare maybe by martinX · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You heard something about someone, so from that you extrapolate that the Intel chief is scared of Trump and so will commit $7 billion to avoid Trump saying something mean about him on Twitter.

    Dumbest thing I've read today, but it's early.

    --
    When they came for the communists, I said "He's next door. Take him away. Goddam commies."
  8. Re:Trump scare maybe by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 2

    Two "moderate" Republicans voted against Devos that tied the vote (50-50) in the Senate and Vice President Pence cast the tie breaking vote in favor of the Republicans. These "moderates" only announced their opposition after it became obvious that nomination vote would succeed without them. Not a tweet out of Trump.

  9. Re:Why the comment from the fake news outlet? by swb · · Score: 3, Interesting

    He's an H1-B apologist.

    His column in the Times today was explaining how much Silicon Valley needs immigrants for their hard work, inspiration and outside-the-box thinking.

    Which is just fine -- but really, the complaint isn't about too much innovation in the Valley, the complaint is about run of the mill non-innovator jobs being outsourced to H1-Bs in the name of corporate profits.

    Of course he didn't mention that issue at all, choosing to cast the issue as predominantly one of racism and ignorance killing the innovation hub of America.

  10. Re:Why the comment from the fake news outlet? by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    The funny thing about the NY Times is that their editorial board endorsed Hillary, but their anti-Hillary reporters kept the email and FBI stories alive for months until the election.

  11. Re:"the most powerful computer chips on the planet by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I think Intel is genuinely on alert with respect to AMD. Intel's recent actions have led me believe that the Ryzen really is a very good CPU. Have you noticed in the last six weeks or so that Intel has been hammering the airwaves with ads? Not since the days of "Intel Inside" have I seen so much hype. These advertisements feature a Pee Wee Herman type guy walking around some business district yacking about how Intel powers all the self driving cars, Intel powers the cloud, etc. etc. It's without substance. It's all rah rah hype --- "Hooray for Intel".

    Intel is clearly trying to reestablish their brand, and would not waste money on these ads if AMD wasn't about to unleash some serious competition.

  12. America is a disaster... by DogDude · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I'm confused. Trump says that American is a broken, dangerous disaster, but the CEO of Intel says, "America has a unique combination of talent, a vibrant business environment and access to global markets, which has enabled U.S. companies like Intel to foster economic growth and innovation". Which is it? Is American a horrible, horrible place where billionaire's daughters are treated "unfairly", or is it an awesome place where Intel can be formed and grow?

    --
    I don't respond to AC's.
  13. Re:Trump scare maybe by gatkinso · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Oh bullshit. The checks and balances built into the American political system seem to be working just fine.

    He might do shit that you and I don't - and trust me I really don't like him - but he is not Hitler 2.0 even tho he might want to be, nor will he sell the nation off to the highest bidder.

    --
    I am very small, utmostly microscopic.
  14. Re:reasons enough: tax cuts and deregulatory polic by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    "[...] But Mr. Krzanich said that the tax cuts and deregulatory policies pushed by Mr. Trump had prompted the company to move forward with its plans."

    Tax cuts and deregulatory policies that Trump only talked about. No executive order will change or enact these items. The Republicans are too busy arguing among themselves on how to repeal and replace ObamaCare that they don't have time for anything else. We're overdue for a recession. I look forward to buying stocks on the way down.

  15. How many H1B workers? by SysEngineer · · Score: 2

    In Hillsboro over 30% of software programmers are guest workers. That is about 5% of the households in the area. With such a high concentration of H1B tech workers, that is increasing housing in the area displacing the retired, disabled and the working poor.

  16. Re:Trump scare maybe by Applehu+Akbar · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Repug

    What are you, 12?

    This is why we would would prefer discussing technology to politics in this forum.

  17. They Want Export Bans Lifted by Kagato · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The US Gov't blocked Intel from selling their most powerful CPUs to China. Intel would like to roll that back since all it did was get China to create a high power domestic that they can now export to compete with Intel.

  18. Re:Why the comment from the fake news outlet? by HornWumpus · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Attacking a strawman of your own construction, while ignoring the 'highest salaries get the visas' aspect of the changes.

    --
    John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
  19. Re:Trump scare maybe by UnknowingFool · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Most likely Intel was going to hire those people regardless of who became President as they need to increase their lines. A public announcement will get Trump off their backs.

    --
    Well, there's spam egg sausage and spam, that's not got much spam in it.
  20. Re:Why the comment from the fake news outlet? by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 3, Informative

    The media normalized Donald Trump who wasn't serious about winning the presidency. Now we got a 70-year-old man-child in the White House who is running the government into the ground (that's not a compliment).

  21. Re:Trump scare maybe by Ravaldy · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I know you're trying to do yet more painting of Trump in a bad light by spreading "fake news" and "alternative facts"

    Nobody needs to paint Trump, he does that very well on his own. He literally is the greatest at it.

    Heck, look at how many times he has had to backtrack on what he said previously. If you don't know, then you are just another peasant that's been conned into voting for someone who does not have your best interest at heart.

  22. Re:Why the comment from the fake news outlet? by swb · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I'd guess the H1-B visa system will have one of two possible primary biases.

    Primary Bias A: Visas are harder to get, and some "key innovators", really smart people that even most morons would agree should work here, can't get a visa.

    Primary Bias B: Visas are too easy to get, and a lot of run-of-the-mill IT jobs get outsourced, costing people their jobs.

    What's wrong with having Primary Bias A?

    The number of actual key innovators is numerically small and presumably they are filling high-end jobs and have significant resources lobbying on their behalf, increasing the chance they will ultimately get in. And by default you are making it much harder to outsource potentially thousands of good-paying "information age" jobs through visa abuse.

    It seems like we have a choice -- we can protect many American jobs by making visas tougher to get, potentially risking that some smart guy doesn't get to work for an American multinational that buries its profits in Ireland. Or we can make them easy, bulk import foreigners, outsource jobs and render Americans unemployed on the outside chance that 1 in every 10,000 we import is some genius who makes a bunch of multinational executives fabulously wealthy.

    Sounds like a hard choice.

  23. Re:Trump scare maybe by meta-monkey · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Mostly because they're beholden to the teacher's unions.

    --
    We don't have a state-run media we have a media-run state.
  24. Intel will probably close an older fab in Chandler by billrp · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Fab 12 opened in 1996, and I suspect they will close that when Fab 42 opens, so there might not be any actual net increase in employers once construction is complete.

  25. Re:Trump scare maybe by Serge_Tomiko · · Score: 2, Insightful

    This has nothing directly to do with Trump. The world is forcing the US to transition to a UN mediated fixed exchange rate system with a supranational reserve currency that will function like Keynes' Bancor. The USD will drop in value, which will make imports much more expensive (probably around 20%, which is greater than most profit margins).

    To the extent Trump is a part of this, it is because Congress has for 10 years dragged their feet to enact appropriate measures, and there will likely be a great deal of pain in the short term. Trump both distracts the populace from this huge problem, particularly with stupid shit like Devos. I mean, look at yourself. The Department of Education shouldn't even exist. Education has only gotten worse since it was created, in my lifetime and I'm not old. Sure, she's a stupid choice and her nonsense about school vouchers couldn't be more ridiculous. But, at the end of the day, education is a local matter and what she believes or desires is irrelevant.

  26. Re:Why the comment from the fake news outlet? by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 2

    Still better than the alternative was.

    Hillary was safe and predictable. Trump is not. OTOH, I'm going to do quite well when the stock market corrects and/or crashes in the near future.

  27. Re:Why the comment from the fake news outlet? by Altrag · · Score: 2

    Hilary was predictable. I'm not so sure about safe.

    Trump's election was because he was unpredictable. When the predictable option is bad, the unpredictable one is at least a ray of hope.

    Of course he's now doing everything he can to smash that hope, but it was there long enough to get him into office.

  28. Re:Why the comment from the fake news outlet? by HornWumpus · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Hillary was more predictable, but not safe in any way. She was predictably going to ignore the constitution, grow federal power and skate by on lies regarding her crimes, now she will likely get some justice.

    The current .com bubble is going to pop, no matter who's in charge. But the huge correction will be in China.

    The real key is the Supreme Court. Which is now safe for at least another 20+ years. Which means we won't have to shoot the bastards.

    Also note: Any SC justices only have to be less openly partisan the Sotomayor. A very low bar to pass. Going to be particularly fun watching Ginsburg's replacement.

    --
    John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
  29. Re:Trump scare maybe by ChrisMaple · · Score: 2

    There is some reason to believe that the US will be a more business-friendly place during the lifespan of this fab, i.e. lower taxes and fewer draconian regulations. Ireland has ceased being a tax haven due to EU pressures, and any place with a high Muslim population is a risk for physical damage. Intel has had 3 months to weigh the pros and cons, and a Trump administration may have been enough to tip the balance to Arizona.

    --
    Contribute to civilization: ari.aynrand.org/donate
  30. Re: Uhhhh... by thesupraman · · Score: 3, Interesting

    No...

    But also don't forget that up to means that 3000 laborers will work on construction, followed by a hundred or so people running the actual fab.

    Still.. The tax breaks are the same either way.. so it's all good (for Intel).

    Pretty much the same for all these big announcements.. the central feature of them is reporting the size of facility construction crews and quietly ignoring the face that they are highly automated production requiring just a handful of long term staff.

    No large business does labor intensive work in the us.. the tax breaks are just not enough, and god forbid they don't maximise profits at the cost of jobs and long term skills development.. That would be un American!

  31. Re:reasons enough: tax cuts and deregulatory polic by __aaclcg7560 · · Score: 2

    Mr. Trumpâ(TM)s action on the fiduciary rule, which Democrats and consumer groups immediately denounced as a gift to Wall Street, could have a more concrete impact. His memorandum directs the Labor Department to review whether the rule may "adversely affect" investors' ability to access financial advice — and if it does, it authorizes the agency to rescind and revise the rule.

    The fiduciary rule would have saved consumers $17B per year by forcing financial advisers to consider the best interest of their client and not themselves. You're okay with Wall Street ripping you off in your retirement accounts?