Samsung supplier Fine Semitech building out space in Hutto

Another key supplier to Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. is building out a facility in the region.

South Korea-based Fine Semitech Corp., or FST, has been working out of a nearly 16,000-square-foot manufacturing space at the TK Industrial Park in Hutto, near the intersection of U.S. 79 and State Highway 130, according to Dave Porter, who is the executive director of the Williamson County Economic Development Partnership. That's a few miles away from Samsung's massive development that is rising in Taylor.

Representatives of FST didn't respond to requests for comment, nor did representatives of the industrial park.

The company has been linked to the space since 2021, according to documents provided by the city of Hutto. In addition, an entity with ties to FST was issued a certificate of occupancy after completing improvements for the 15,500-square-foot space, and then FST itself last year filed a permit to make additional modifications to the building that are ongoing.

Two years ago, FST was reported by Korean outlets to be looking for space near Samsung's site in Taylor. FST specializes in chillers used in wafer fabrication and display production, and provides pellicles, or thin films, that are used to protect photomasks during the fabrication process, and its customers include Samsung, SK Hynix and LG Display. Reuters reported in 2017 that FST signed a 3.21 billion won, or $2.3 million, contract with Samsung to provide semiconductor equipment.

FST's move to Hutto marks the continued migration of companies within the semiconductor industry to the region, spurred by the construction of the massive factory in Taylor. It was recently announced that the South Korea-based electronics giant will receive $6.4 billion through the federal CHIPS and Science Act, which supports the company's plan to to widen its investment in Central Texas to $45 billion.

Companies known to be expanding in the area include Wonik Materials North America LLC in Manor; Soulbrain Holdings Co. Ltd., HTNS America Inc. and ENC Inc. in Taylor; MSS International and KoMiCo Technology Inc. in Round Rock; iMarket Korea Inc. in both Taylor and Round Rock; EcoMicron Inc. and Hanyang Eng USA Inc. in Cedar Park; LS Electric Co. Ltd. in Bastrop; and MGC Pure Chemicals America Inc. in Killeen.