Intel to build US factories

Chipmaker Intel is to spend US$20 billion (NZ$29.8b) to build a new manufacturing facility in Ohio, to help alleviate a global shortage of microprocessors powering everything from phones to cars to home appliances. Intel said two planned factories would support its own line of processors and its new business making chips designed by other firms. The US and Europe are pushing to aggressively build chipmaking capacity and reduce their reliance on producers that are mostly based in Asia, who make eight out of every 10 chips. Samsung plans to build a factory near Austin, Texas, and Intel last year announced plans for new factories in Arizona and the European Union.