Lam Research Bolsters Operations in Penang with Cutting-Edge Automated Warehouse

In 2021, Lam inaugurated its cutting-edge manufacturing hub situated in Batu Kawan, Penang, marking Lam's most expansive and technologically advanced facility yet.

Introduction:

Lam Manufacturing Malaysia (LMM) recently marked a momentous occasion with the grand opening of its largest and most technologically advanced warehouse yet. This new facility stands as a testament to Lam’s commitment to innovation, efficiency, and sustainability in semiconductor manufacturing. In this blog post, we delve into the key features and significance of LMM new automated warehouse, exploring how it redefines industry standards and propels Lam forward in meeting the demands of a rapidly evolving market landscape.

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Seamless Integration and Efficiency:

Located adjacent to Lam’s manufacturing site, the new warehouse offers seamless integration with production operations, significantly reducing transportation time, costs, and carbon emissions.

This strategic co-location enhances operational synergy, enabling Lam to work closely and efficiently with key customers and suppliers in the region.

Such proximity not only streamlines logistics but also fosters stronger partnerships, driving collaborative innovation and responsive customer service.

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Maximized Utilization of Space:

Despite its considerable size, the LMM warehouse sets a new benchmark in space optimization.

The facility utilizes modern automation capabilities like vertical stacking. Crates and palettes can reach towering heights of up to 25 meters. This minimizes wasted space and maximizes storage capacity.

Such innovation contrasts with traditional warehouse models. Traditional warehouses often have sprawling operational footprints. The result is a more compact, efficient, and environmentally sustainable storage solution. It reflects Lam’s commitment to resource conservation and operational excellence.

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Scalability and Flexibility:

Within the facility, numerous automated solutions are employed, notably Malaysia’s largest automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS), a feature acknowledged in the Malaysia Book of Records for its status as the country’s largest ASRS storage bin capacity.

Additionally, Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are utilized to streamline repetitive and time-intensive tasks. Through the strategic deployment of high-density automated storage systems, the facility efficiently utilizes vertical space, achieving remarkable space efficiency by occupying just a quarter of the footprint compared to conventional warehouse setups.

Anchored in forward-thinking design, the LMM warehouse boasts inherent scalability, poised to accommodate future growth and evolving industry demands.

Similar to its companion manufacturing facility, the warehouse is equipped with flexible infrastructure, allowing for seamless expansion and integration of additional automated storage systems.

This adaptability ensures that LMM remains agile and responsive in a dynamic market landscape, positioning Lam as a frontrunner in meeting the rising demand for semiconductor solutions.

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Sustainability

Lam’s pursuit of its company-wide sustainability targets, including achieving 100% renewable electricity usage by 2030, net-zero emissions by 2050, and saving 80 million gallons of water by 2025, remains on track.

This commitment to environmental stewardship is evident in the design of its facilities. Employing an automated building management system, Lam optimizes lighting and cooling to conserve energy. Furthermore, its proximity to the manufacturing facility at LMM reduces carbon emissions associated with transportation. This operational efficiency is complemented by the focus on energy conservation at the manufacturing site, which harnesses an average of 13 MWh of solar energy daily. Additionally, the new warehouse facilitates sustainable water reuse through the collection and redirection of rainwater to storage tanks.

Investment in Human Capital:

While automation drives operational efficiency, Lam recognizes the pivotal role of skilled human capital in sustaining and optimizing warehouse operations.

In light of the increased operational complexity, Lam is committed to investing in its workforce through comprehensive skills development programs.

Collaborating with local partners, Lam will provide training opportunities for supervisors and specialized upskilling programs for employees tasked with maintaining automated systems.

By nurturing a highly skilled workforce, Lam not only enhances operational resilience but also fosters employee empowerment and career advancement opportunities.

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Fulfilling Lam’s Mission:

The inauguration of LMM’s state-of-the-art automated warehouse is a significant milestone for Lam. It showcases Lam’s dedication to leveraging technology and innovation for value creation. Toby Finnell, senior director of Logistics, highlights Lam’s industry leadership and commitment to stakeholders. The new warehouse demonstrates Lam’s resilience and adaptability in the post-COVID landscape. It offers scalability and labor flexibility for sustained growth and success.

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Conclusion:

The launch of LMM advanced automated warehouse marks a significant milestone in semiconductor supply chain management. Efficiency, sustainability, and innovation are at the forefront of this new era.

Lam’s adoption of cutting-edge technology and optimization of space utilization exemplify its commitment to excellence. Investment in human capital further strengthens Lam’s position as an industry trailblazer.

The new warehouse serves as a beacon of progress, driving value creation and excellence across the semiconductor ecosystem.

Kumar Priyadarshi
Kumar Priyadarshi

Kumar Priyadarshi is a prominent figure in the world of technology and semiconductors. With a deep passion for innovation and a keen understanding of the intricacies of the semiconductor industry, Kumar has established himself as a thought leader and expert in the field. He is the founder of Techovedas, India’s first semiconductor and AI tech media company, where he shares insights, analysis, and trends related to the semiconductor and AI industries.

Kumar Joined IISER Pune after qualifying IIT-JEE in 2012. In his 5th year, he travelled to Singapore for his master’s thesis which yielded a Research Paper in ACS Nano. Kumar Joined Global Foundries as a process Engineer in Singapore working at 40 nm Process node. He couldn’t find joy working in the fab and moved to India. Working as a scientist at IIT Bombay as Senior Scientist, Kumar Led the team which built India’s 1st Memory Chip with Semiconductor Lab (SCL)

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