TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan's Wistron Corp. pushed forward with its new smart factory project in Kaohsiung Cianjhen Technology Industrial Park during a beam-raising ceremony on Wednesday, CNA reported.

Wistron officials said the plant will use high-end automated lines and wrap up construction next year. They added that the site should bring in about 4,500 jobs once it opens.

Wistron Senior Vice President for Asia-Pacific Global Manufacturing Alec Lai (賴志忠) hosted the event, which government officials also joined. They said the nine-floor facility will help beef up southern Taiwan’s smart manufacturing base.

Economy ministry Secretary General Chuang Ming-chih (莊銘池) said Wistron continues to pour money into Kaohsiung and backs the government’s plan to build up the south’s tech corridor. Chuang said the investment also helps tie together the supply chain that runs from Chiayi to Kaohsiung and Pingtung.

The economy ministry said it is upgrading old buildings and plans to rebuild five aging factory blocks to draw more companies in. The ministry also plans to fix up dorms and dining areas to help firms bring in and keep talent.

Wistron is one of the world’s major electronics manufacturing service providers, building devices and components for leading global tech brands. Wistron’s global footprint, with manufacturing bases across Asia, Europe, and North America, helped drive its revenue to nearly NT$998 billion US$32 billion in 2024, per Wistron.