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Thailand approves Western Digital’s 23.5 billion baht project
Thailand has announced the approval of Western Digital’s 23.5 billion baht (693 million dollars) investment project.
Key takeaways
- Thailand has approved the Western Digital’s 23.5 billion baht (693 million dollars) investment project.
- Western Digital contributes to the development of the Thai economy by currently employing 28,000 employees in the country.
- The BOI explained that 80% of the world’s hard disks are manufactured in Thailand, making it one of the main destinations for hard disk production globally.
Western Digital, a global technology company specializing in data storage solutions, was established in 1970 and is a leader in developing and manufacturing HDDs, SSDs, and other storage devices for consumer and enterprise markets.
The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) explained that in the context of growing demand for cloud technology and data centers, the project’s goal will be to increase hard disk production in the country.
It is expected that the investment will help boost the local economy, driven by exports valued at 200 billion baht per year, and help create 10,000 additional jobs.
Western Digital contributes to the development of the Thai economy by currently employing 28,000 employees in the country.
The BOI added that 80% of the world’s hard disks are manufactured in Thailand, making it one of the main destinations for hard disk production globally.
Over the past decade, the country has approved investments amounting to approximately 82.6 billion baht in the hard disk industry. In 2023, Seagate advanced with an expansion after investing 16 billion baht.
Thailand’s HDD Industry: A Robust Contributor to the Global Market
Thailand has emerged as a powerhouse in the hard disk drive (HDD) industry, carving out a significant niche in the global market. The country is currently ranked as the second-largest HDD producer worldwide, following China.
The development of hard disk drive (HDD) production in Thailand has been a significant journey, marked by strategic investments and technological advancements. It all began in the early 1980s when Seagate Technology established its first manufacturing plant in Bangkok in 1983.
Throughout the 1990s, Thailand’s HDD industry expanded rapidly. Companies like Fujitsu and IBM followed Seagate’s lead, setting up their production facilities.
By the late 1990s, Thailand had become a hub for HDD manufacturing, with numerous companies producing various components such as head stack assemblies (HSAs) and head gimbal assemblies (HGAs).
The industry’s growth was driven by the availability of skilled labor, favorable government policies, and strategic geographic location.
In the early 2000s, Thailand’s HDD industry faced challenges, including competition from other countries and natural disasters. The 2011 floods were particularly devastating, disrupting production and causing significant losses. However, the industry demonstrated resilience and quickly recovered, with companies investing in flood prevention measures and diversifying their production bases.
The industry’s growth is fueled by increasing demand for data storage driven by the proliferation of hyperscale clouds and data centers. The generative AI boom has also spiked the demand for HDDs, leading to a rise in prices. Despite the global shift towards solid-state drives (SSD), HDDs remain relevant due to their cost-effectiveness, especially in handling bulk data storage for large-scale operations.
However, the industry faces challenges, such as the global decline in HDD shipments and the technological shift towards SSDs. The Thai HDD industry must navigate these changes carefully, balancing the current demand with future technological trends and market shifts.
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