Hanmi Semiconductor to Establish US Subsidiary as AI Chip Investment Drives Equipment Demand

South Korean semiconductor equipment manufacturer Hanmi Semiconductor is expanding its presence in the United States as growing investment in artificial intelligence (AI) chips creates fresh opportunities across the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.

The company announced on 10 August that it plans to establish a US subsidiary, HANMI USA, Inc., with an investment of approximately US$1.5 million (around KRW 2.1 billion). The new subsidiary will be based in San Jose, California, a major centre for the US semiconductor industry.

HANMI USA is expected to commence full operations in the fourth quarter of 2026. Its business will cover the local development and sales of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, along with related parts and materials.

Expanding Support for US Semiconductor Customers

Hanmi Semiconductor said the move is intended to strengthen its ability to respond to increasing semiconductor manufacturing investment in the US. The expansion is being fuelled by strong demand for AI chips and advanced technologies such as high-bandwidth memory (HBM), which plays an increasingly important role in high-performance AI computing.

Establishing a local subsidiary will allow Hanmi to work more closely with customers in the US while providing faster technical and sales support. The company also expects the presence to strengthen its competitiveness in the North American semiconductor equipment market.

Targeting Opportunities Created by AI Growth

The US semiconductor sector is seeing substantial investment as chipmakers and technology companies expand production capacity to meet demand from AI and high-performance computing applications.

This trend is creating opportunities for semiconductor equipment manufacturers, particularly in areas linked to advanced packaging and HBM production.

For Hanmi Semiconductor, establishing a US operation provides a local base from which it can develop customer relationships, support production requirements and pursue new business opportunities associated with the expansion of AI-related semiconductor infrastructure.

The move also reflects a broader shift within the semiconductor equipment industry, where suppliers are increasingly establishing operations close to major customers. Local presence can enable equipment companies to provide faster technical assistance and work more closely with manufacturers as production processes become increasingly sophisticated.

With HANMI USA scheduled to begin operations later this year, the company is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the growing North American semiconductor equipment market and benefit from continued investment in AI chips, HBM and advanced semiconductor manufacturing.