Small is beautiful [small, low volume semiconductor manufacturing plants]

Semiconductor manufacturing plants carry a huge price tag. Minifabs based on lean, agile processes could cut production costs. This article describes the minifab concept. A minifab is a small, flexible and agile production unit for device or systems manufacturing that can be built quickly to meet market needs. It allows just-in-time capacity with less investment, rapid ramp-up, optimum-volume manufacturing, decreased energy emissions, and low-cost manufacturing even with high-mix low and medium-volume products. This represents a disruptive production system and business model compared with existing semiconductor fabs.