ALTER Enters US Market with State-of-the-Art Semiconductor Testing Facility in Minnesota

ALTER, a leading international provider of assembly, testing, qualification and radiation services for high-reliability semiconductors and microelectronics, is further expanding its global market presence with the opening of a semiconductor testing facility in Minnesota, USA. This strategic expansion allows the TÜV NORD GROUP subsidiary to meet the growing demand for semiconductor testing services in the U.S. ALTER TECHNOLOGY US, Inc. (ALTER US) began operations at the new Plymouth location on 1 October, 2025 and officially inaugurated the new facility on 18 November, 2025.

New Testing Capabilities in Minnesota

The new cutting-edge 14,000 sq ft semiconductor testing facility includes a 4,000 sq ft class 10,000 clean room and is equipped with state-of-the-art testing equipment that meets the highest industry standards. ALTER US aims to position itself as the leading US Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) provider with end-to-end solutions for mission-critical applications. The comprehensive range of services includes wafer testing, final testing, up-screening and qualification, radiation testing and technology analysis. ALTER US as a DDTC ITAR registered company offers customized solutions for complex semiconductor and ASIC requirements across a diverse set of markets including defense, aerospace/space, medical, power conversion photonics and industrial. Luis Gómez, CEO of ALTER, sees Minnesota as an ideal location: "Minnesota fits perfectly with our plans to focus on complex microelectronic components in high reliability and medium volume markets. We are eager to leverage our extensive experience from our European sites, which will significantly benefit our U.S. customers.," said Gómez. By choosing Plymouth, ALTER is capitalizing on the growing demand for semiconductor testing in the US, driven by advanced packaging, artificial intelligence, photonics and the promotion of domestic chip manufacturing under the CHIPS Act, which aims to boost semiconductor manufacturing in the US. As circuit designs become more complex and reliability standards tighten, back-end testing has become a critical step in ensuring product quality, yield and supply chain stability.

Strengthening Minnesota's Semiconductor and Microelectronics Ecosystem

The new facility strengthens Minnesota's microelectronics ecosystem by adding required back-end capabilities. These typically include process steps after the semiconductor chips are manufactured, such as testing, packaging and integrating the chips into final products, thereby enhancing national security by US on-site services and securing the supply chain for key end-use industries. Geographic proximity to regional medical, defense and aerospace companies provides convenient access to advanced semiconductor testing services. Frédéric Tilhac, CEO/President of ALTER US, emphasizes the importance of support from local partners: "The support from the State of Minnesota, the City of Plymouth and the Minnesota CHIPS Coalition Workforce Partnership is invaluable. Our location provides an ideal environment for the semiconductor industry with access to a skilled workforce, robust infrastructure and a supportive political landscape," said Tilhac. ALTER's expansion into the U.S. was financially supported by the Minnesota Investment Fund and the Minnesota Job Creation Fund.

Forward-Looking Services

At a time when international co-operation and technological advances are crucial, the opening of the new facility also marks a significant step in transatlantic co-operation. With this in mind, Dr Dirk Stenkamp, CEO of TÜV NORD AG, emphasizes the economic significance of the new test facility: "This is an exciting day for ALTER, and we are pleased to become an integral part of the semiconductor ecosystem in Minnesota and across the United States. Our commitment to innovation and quality aligns perfectly with the needs of the U.S. market, and we look forward to contributing to the advancement of high-reliability microelectronics”, said Dr Stenkamp at the official opening ceremony.

ALTERs international presence

ALTER is already represented in several European countries, including Germany (Bensheim), Spain (Seville and Madrid), France (Toulouse), and the United Kingdom (Edinburgh and Glasgow). These locations enable ALTER to offer its extensive experience and services worldwide and meet the demands of the global semiconductor industry. The TÜV NORD GROUP is at home with its expertise in 50 countries, including the USA, and operates in more than 100 countries.