Intel Corporation (NASDAQ: INTC) announced on Monday the appointment of Kevin O’Buckley as the new head of services for its contract chip-making division, which is part of a strategic move to expand the unit and compete with industry leader Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (NYSE: TSM). O’Buckley, an industry veteran with over 25 years of experience in the semiconductor sector, will take over from Stuart Pann, the initial leader of the Intel Foundry segment established under Intel’s revised operational framework.
Historically, Intel produced chips exclusively for its own use but has recently invested billions into its foundry business. This shift aims to enhance its manufacturing capabilities and increase semiconductor production for other companies. Previously serving as the senior vice president of hardware engineering at Marvell Technology Group Ltd. (NASDAQ: MRVL) in their custom chip division, O’Buckley brings significant expertise to his new role. He has also occupied senior positions at GlobalFoundries and International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE: IBM). Pann is set to retire at the end of May after a 35-year tenure at Intel but will continue to serve as an adviser to facilitate a smooth leadership transition. The services unit that O’Buckley will lead is crucial for maintaining customer relations and service quality within Intel’s foundry business.