Hiring efforts at Intel’s long-delayed Ohio factory are accelerating.
Recent comments from CEO Lip-Bu Tan suggest that Intel’s 14A process has been more successful in attracting potential customers than Intel’s 18A process.
This may indicate that Intel will accelerate the construction schedule in Ohio to support the release of Intel 14A.
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2022, Intel(NASDAQ: INTC) Announced a $28 billion investment in two new cutting-edge chip factories in Ohio. The investment is part of Intel’s plan to become a world-class foundry serving external customers. Chip production was initially scheduled to begin in 2025.
Intel has repeatedly delayed the Ohio project as it struggles to win outside foundry customers. When Lip-Bu Tan takes over as CEO in early 2025, it becomes reasonable to ask whether the factory will be completed. Tan made it clear that Intel’s 14A process node, scheduled for launch in 2027, will only proceed if the company can win meaningful external customers. As of now, 2030 is the target date for Ohio’s first fab to start producing chips.
Image source: Intel.
The Intel 18A process node is currently live in Arizona for Intel’s Panther Lake PC CPUs, but it’s getting off to a rocky start. Intel has reportedly been struggling with yield issues, while large outside customers remain elusive.
Things appear to be improving. Earlier this month, an analyst noted that Intel’s 18A yields are now over 60% and improving, which is enough to support the release of Panther Lake. The analyst also reiterated apple In addition to exploring Intel 14A in future chips, the company may also use Intel to build some of its chips on Intel 18A.
While Intel 18A may not be the home run Intel needs to prove that its foundry strategy works, at least in the long run, this node will be successful and profitable. This makes the Intel 14A a true proving ground for Intel. The company must win meaningful outside customers early in advance of production for its foundry business to be successful.
Two recent signs suggest Intel 14A is on track. First, the construction company building Intel’s Ohio factory recently posted a number of new jobs related to facility construction. While there has been some progress over the past three years, this could be a sign that construction is accelerating.
On its own, the job posting isn’t enough to draw any real conclusions. However, Tan’s recent comments in an Intel News video on the X are completely contrary to his cautious remarks about Intel’s 14A process in 2025. “We’re going to be pushing hard on 14A. Stay tuned, we’re going to see strong momentum in yield with 14A [and] Intellectual property portfolios better serve clients. “Tan said.
This announcement demonstrates Intel’s confidence that it can win important external customers for Intel’s 14A process. Combined with the hiring news, it could also be a sign that Intel is trying to move up its Ohio factory construction timeline. If chip production doesn’t start until 2030, it may be too late to support Intel’s 14A process.
It’s certainly possible that Intel could have its first fab up and running in Ohio in 2028 or 2029. If the company has customers for the Intel 14A outside of its own product division, it’s likely the chip will be launched within that time frame. Apple rumors suggest the company is considering using Intel 14A on some chips in 2029.
Intel is scheduled to report fourth-quarter results after the market close on Thursday. While the company may not have anything to announce related to the foundry just yet, the revelation of a more aggressive Ohio construction schedule or a major outside foundry customer would almost certainly light the stock on fire.
The foundry leader’s chronic lack of advanced manufacturing capabilities increases the likelihood of Intel’s 14A success TSMC. That’s not going to change anytime soon, so Intel will likely benefit in the coming years as chip designers scramble to secure production capacity. TSMC has recently boosted its capital spending plans, but building new factories could take years.
For much of 2025, Intel’s foundry business seemed to be teetering on the edge of disaster, with no major external customers and production issues. The story is getting brighter in 2026, and if the hiring news in Ohio and Tan’s announcement are any indication, Intel could be making major foundry announcements next year. If Intel can clear up any concerns about its foundry strategy, the stock could continue to rise as the company capitalizes on surging demand for advanced chip manufacturing.
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Timothy Green works at Intel. The Motley Fool owns and recommends Apple, Intel, and TSMC. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
Hidden clues at Intel’s Ohio construction site that investors shouldn’t ignore originally published by The Motley Fool
