MESA, AZ (October 5, 2022) — JX Nippon Mining & Metals USA, Inc. (“JX USA”), together with the City of Mesa, the Arizona Commerce Authority, and local officials, held a groundbreaking ceremony today initiating construction of JX USA’s new state-of-the-art electronic materials manufacturing plant in the City of Mesa, Arizona. The new plant is expected to be operational in early 2024 and create more than 100 jobs by 2025.
The 273,000 square-foot plant is located on 63 acres at the northeast corner of Germann Road and Crismon Road. The plant will produce sputtering targets for semiconductors and produce more than double the production of JX USA’s existing Chandler plant.
“JX Nippon Mining & Metals USA, Inc. is a cutting-edge electronic materials manufacturer,” said Masago Kuwabara, President & CEO of JX Nippon Mining & Metals USA, Inc. “We are proud to be moving forward on our commitment to manufacture electronic materials in the City of Mesa. With an outstanding team of designers and engineers, and a product strategy, we expect today to be just the start of a longstanding presence in this dynamic city.”
The new plant will contain a large production area, office, welfare facilities, and garden. JX USA will also utilize this site as an incubator for new business development, and intends to make it the center of JX USA’s business in the advanced materials field in the US in the future.
“Today’s groundbreaking showcases Arizona’s premier attractiveness for the semiconductor industry,” said Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “JX USA has been a leading advanced materials developer in Arizona for more than 30 years, and we are excited to see them expand their legacy in Mesa.”
“We’re excited by JX Nippon’s plans to make Mesa the new base of operations for its sputtering target business in the U.S.,” said Mesa Mayor John Giles. “JX’s investment and commitment to Mesa further demonstrate the desire for leading advanced manufacturers to grow their business in our city.”
JX USA manufactures and sells sputtering targets to semiconductor industries in North America and Europe. In recent years, many of JX USA’s customers are expanding their production capacities in France, Germany, Italy, and the U.S. including Arizona. JX USA will further expand its production capacity for sputtering targets for semiconductors to better serve its customers.
“I could not be more thrilled to welcome JX USA to Mesa. With their new plant in Mesa, JX Nippon Mining & Metals USA, Inc. (JX USA) is not only a win for Mesa, but a win for the region as well. Their commitment to manufacturing will allow them to further expand their production capacity for the semiconductor sector,” said Kevin Thompson, District 6 Councilmember. “Together, the investment and jobs that JX USA brings will be wonderful assets for this already active area.”
JX USA chose Arizona based on numerous positive factors, including business climate, infrastructure, talent, geographic location, and supply chain for the semiconductor industry.
Additionally, the City of Mesa is expected to grow in the future as a center for advanced industry and has room for expansion in anticipation of JX USA’s future business development needs.
Media Contacts
Stephanie Rossi, JX Nippon Mining & Metals USA, Inc., srossi@nmm-jx-group.com
Alyssa Tufts, Arizona Commerce Authority, alyssat@azcommerce.com
Kim Lofgreen, City of Mesa, kim.lofgreen@mesaaz.gov
About JX USA
JX Nippon Mining & Metals USA, Inc. is the North American operating site and 100% owned subsidiary of JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. JX USA supports both North America and Europe with sputtering targets used for Semiconductor, Flat Panel, Magnetic and Optical thin film applications, as well as Compound Semiconductor Wafers. Today, JX USA has grown to over 125 employees during their more than 30 years in the East Valley. To learn more, please visit nmm-jx-group.com.
About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) is the state’s leading economic development organization with a streamlined mission to grow and strengthen Arizona’s economy. The ACA uses a three-pronged approach to advance the overall economy: attract, expand, create – attract out-of-state companies to establish operations in Arizona; work with existing companies to expand their business in Arizona and beyond; and help entrepreneurs create new Arizona businesses in targeted industries. For more information, please visit azcommerce.com and follow the ACA on Twitter @azcommerce.
About the City of Mesa
With a population of more than 513,000, Mesa, Arizona is the 37th largest city in the United States and second largest in the Phoenix-Mesa metro area. Mesa encompasses 138 square miles inside the metro area, which has a population of 4.8 million people and is projected to grow to 5.2 million by 2027. Mesa is a vibrant city and a premier location for business development opportunities. Serving industry leaders such as Amazon, Apple, AT&T, Banner Health, Boeing, Bridgestone, Dexcom, Facebook (Meta), Gulfstream, Northrop Grumman, and more, Mesa is a smart location for intelligent companies. For more information, please visit SelectMesa.com.
