Stefan Mileschin

Expansion possible

Data centre server maker Super Micro is looking to open a new site in the United States to assemble computers, possibly in Oregon, the East Coast or Midwest.

Super Micro supplies servers to cloud computing companies, designing and manufacturing its own machines.

Chief Executive Officer Charles Liang said that server assembly was currently almost evenly split between Super Micro facilities in Taiwan and company headquarters in San Jose, California, although the company maintains some operations in China to supply its Chinese customers.

He said Super Micro was examining expansion in Asia - “in Taiwan or another country,” without giving further details - and in the United States.

“We have been in San Jose for 27 years. I like the Bay Area a lot. However, when customers want high volumes, they do want a lower price. We are looking for a second location, maybe in Oregon, or on the East Coast or in the Midwest.”

The company also plans to expand its operations in San Jose this year with a facility called Building 23 that will include 90,000 square feet (8,360 square metres) of production space and 118,000 square feet (10,960 square metres) of warehouse storage.

The moves come as Super Micro moves into the market for 5G networks, which are expected to use more data centre-like equipment than previous networks. Liang said Super Micro was working with two telecommunications carriers in Europe, “two to three” in Asia, and was in talks with two in the United States but declined to name them.

He said the 5G equipment could be made in the United States if customers requested it.

“Most 5G telecommunications customers are happy with our production combination - USA and Taiwan. If a customer wants everything done in the USA, we can do that, too.”

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