TECHNOLOGY
SOME OF THE TOP COMPANIES
MAKING WAVES IN ARIZONA’S TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY Steven G. Zylstra Technology
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very day there seems to be another local or national news story about technology companies, both small and large, flocking to Arizona in droves to start or expand their organizations. Our state has cemented itself as a more than legitimate option alongside the major U.S. technology hubs, including California, Massachusetts, New York, Texas and Washington. Key reasons include our positive business climate, low corporate taxes, and the massive improvement in quality of life we offer executives and
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AB | September - October 2021
employees compared to the competition. In addition, we’re developing the talent necessary to run highly innovative operations. Credit goes to some of the most prestigious universities in the nation, including Arizona State University, University of Arizona, Grand Canyon University, and others. Over the past year and a half, Arizona’s economy and our citizens have leaned heavily on technology to continue our state’s growth, keep Arizonans safe, and allow businesses to stay connected to employees and customers. We have also seen several companies stand out for a number of reasons, including the development of critical technology, major growth initiatives, and more. In this column, I’d like to spotlight some of the leaders in our technology industry and explain how these organizations have helped Arizona climb the nation’s technology ladder. It’s impossible to start without looking at what some of the major technology players have accomplished over the
past year. Intel, a mainstay in Arizona’s fast-growing chip industry, announced a $20 billion plan to build two new semiconductor fabrication plants here to address the worldwide semiconductor shortage. This news came on the heels of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (TSMC) announcement to build a $12 billion facility in our state. Raytheon, a giant in Arizona’s defense industry, is making substantial hiring pushes. The expansion in talent signaled by recently committing to hiring 1,000 people in Tucson is necessary to support multi-billion-dollar contracts, such as two major contracts with the U.S. Air Force. Phoenix-based Honeywell Aerospace also continues to grow and was recently listed as the second-largest manufacturer in Phoenix, which includes Maricopa and Pinal counties, behind only Intel with 5,648 local employees. In more aerospace and defense news, CP North America opened a major manufacturing facility in Prescott in June. The company develops rugged,
