# 271: Preparing Manufacturers for the Semiconductor Boom: Insights from SEMICON West and Beyond

- Show: [Manufacturing Happy Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour)
- Published: 2026-01-20
- Length: 55m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-01-20-271-preparing-manufacturers-for-the-semiconductor-boom-insights-from-semicon-wes
- Listen: http://manufacturinghappyhour.com

## Summary

Danielle Collins of HARTING Technology Group and Jeff Miller of Rockwell Automation explain that the semiconductor industry is reshaping itself through the localization of manufacturing and the globalization of R&D, driven by AI demand and national security concerns. Anuj Mahendru of Rockwell Automation details how legacy fabs are overcoming material movement challenges in converted spaces, while new digital fabs prioritize cybersecurity and sustainability. The guests emphasize that successful suppliers must speak the language of operational data and partner closely with risk-averse chipmakers to navigate the industry's complexity.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-01-20-271-preparing-manufacturers-for-the-semiconductor-boom-insights-from-semicon-wes#t=0) Introduction and Industrial Marketing Summit Sponsor Read
- [5:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-01-20-271-preparing-manufacturers-for-the-semiconductor-boom-insights-from-semicon-wes#t=350) Defining Fabs and the AI-Driven Semiconductor Boom
- [12:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-01-20-271-preparing-manufacturers-for-the-semiconductor-boom-insights-from-semicon-wes#t=749) The Shift from Global Supply Chains to Localized Manufacturing
- [19:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-01-20-271-preparing-manufacturers-for-the-semiconductor-boom-insights-from-semicon-wes#t=1191) Sustainability, Water Constraints, and Site Selection in Phoenix
- [25:23](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-01-20-271-preparing-manufacturers-for-the-semiconductor-boom-insights-from-semicon-wes#t=1523) The 'Copy Exact' Mentality and Data as Currency
- [29:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-01-20-271-preparing-manufacturers-for-the-semiconductor-boom-insights-from-semicon-wes#t=1779) Chips as the New Oil and National Security Priorities
- [35:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-01-20-271-preparing-manufacturers-for-the-semiconductor-boom-insights-from-semicon-wes#t=2117) Legacy vs. Digital Fabs: Subfab Modernization and AI
- [43:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-01-20-271-preparing-manufacturers-for-the-semiconductor-boom-insights-from-semicon-wes#t=2615) Solving Material Movement and Worker Productivity in Legacy Fabs
- [50:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-01-20-271-preparing-manufacturers-for-the-semiconductor-boom-insights-from-semicon-wes#t=3001) Cybersecurity, Sustainability, and Resource Optimization

## Topics

- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)
- [Security & privacy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/security-and-privacy)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

large enterprises

## Mentioned

- HARTING Technology Group (company)
- Rockwell Automation (company)
- SEMICON West (other)
- TSMC (company)
- Intel (company)
- Samsung (company)
- Micron (company)
- Analog Devices (company)
- Texas Instruments (company)
- Magna Motion (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Episode 29: The Myth of Semiconductor Industry Deglobization](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-circuit/2023-08-15-episode-29-the-myth-of-semiconductor-industry-deglobization) (The Circuit)
- [BONUS - What's the SCOOP - 2022 Trends with Aegis Software's Michael Ford](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2021-12-17-bonus-whats-the-scoop-2022-trends-with-aegis-softwares-michael-ford) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Strategies for Success in the Evolving Manufacturing Landscape with Season Group CEO Carl Hung](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2024-05-23-strategies-for-success-in-the-evolving-manufacturing-landscape-with-season-group) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Legislating IoT Safety | TSMC in AZ: Fab or Vaporfab? | Remembering Lucky Lindy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2020-05-22-legislating-iot-safety-tsmc-in-az-fab-or-vaporfab-remembering-lucky-lindy) (EE Times Current)
- [Seismology 1: Nvidia & Arm | Seismology 2: US IC Manufacturing on the Rebound](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2020-08-07-seismology-1-nvidia-arm-seismology-2-us-ic-manufacturing-on-the-rebound) (EE Times Current)

## Citing this page

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