TOKYO -- As the growing complexity of semiconductor manufacturing spurs equipment suppliers to work ever more closely with chipmakers, some are spending big on moving physically closer to their customers for a competitive edge.
Hitachi High-Tech, Kokusai Electric see value in proximity to top customers

Hitachi High-Tech's new R&D center in Oregon is a 10-minute drive from an Intel chip plant. (Photo courtesy of the Hitachi group)
TOKYO -- As the growing complexity of semiconductor manufacturing spurs equipment suppliers to work ever more closely with chipmakers, some are spending big on moving physically closer to their customers for a competitive edge.