Intel Corporation

Intel Debuts First 18A-Based Processor with Panther Lake Launch

October 9, 2025 - Just six months into Lip-Bu Tan’s tenure as CEO, Intel has unveiled a major leap forward in hardware technology aimed at reviving the company’s competitive edge.

On Thursday, Intel introduced a new processor, codenamed Panther Lake, representing the latest generation of the Intel Core Ultra lineup. Notably, it is the first chip built using Intel’s 18A semiconductor process, a milestone for the company’s fabrication capabilities.

The new processors are scheduled to ship later in 2025 and are being manufactured at Fab 52 in Chandler, Arizona, a facility that began operations earlier this year.

“We are entering an exciting new era of computing, made possible by great leaps forward in semiconductor technology that will shape the future for decades to come,” said Tan in a company statement. “Our next-gen compute platforms, combined with our leading-edge process technology, manufacturing, and advanced packaging capabilities, are catalysts for innovation across our business as we build a new Intel.”

In addition to Panther Lake, Intel also provided an early look at Xeon 6+, codenamed Clearwater Forest, which is the first 18A-based server processor. The company anticipates a launch in the first half of 2026.

This announcement marks Intel’s most significant manufacturing development since Tan assumed leadership in March. At the time, he signaled a strategic realignment focused on core competencies and a renewed emphasis on engineering excellence.

The company’s statement also underscored the strategic importance of the 18A process being developed within the U.S., calling it the most advanced chip manufacturing process produced domestically.

“The United States has always been home to Intel’s most advanced R&D, product design, and manufacturing — and we are proud to build on this legacy as we expand our domestic operations and bring new innovations to the market,” Tan added.

The announcement follows a major policy milestone: in August, the U.S. government acquired a 10% equity stake in Intel, a move that came shortly after a White House meeting between Tan and President Donald Trump to explore ways the company and federal government could collaborate to bolster domestic semiconductor production.

Intel did not provide further details when contacted, but confirmed the corrected timeline for the Fab 52 facility's operational launch.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/10/09/intel-unveils-new-processor-powered-by-its-18a-semiconductor-tech/

Intel Undergoes Major Leadership Reshuffle as Product Chief Steps Down

September 8, 2025 - Intel is continuing its executive shake-up under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who took over the role in March.

On Monday, the semiconductor giant announced the departure of Michelle Johnston Holthaus, a more than 30-year veteran of the company. Most recently serving as chief executive of Intel Products, Holthaus will transition to a role as strategic adviser.

The company also unveiled plans to establish a centralized engineering division aimed at expanding its custom silicon services for external clients. Srinivasan "Srini" Iyengar, who joined Intel from Cadence Design Systems in July, will lead the new group.

Additionally, Intel named Kevork Kechichian—formerly with ARM—as the new head of its data center business. Jim Johnson has been promoted to senior vice president and general manager of Intel’s client computing division. Naga Chandrasekaran, CTO and COO of Intel Foundry, will also assume broader responsibilities within the organization.

"With Srini leading Central Engineering, we're aligning innovation and execution more tightly in service to customers," CEO Tan stated in a company press release. "We are laser-focused on delivering world-class products and empowering our engineering teams to move faster and execute with excellence. Kevork, Jim, and Srini are exceptional leaders whose deep technical acumen and industry relationships will be instrumental as we continue building a new Intel."

The leadership overhaul follows recent news that the U.S. government plans to convert its existing grants into a 10% equity stake in Intel. The agreement includes a clause to penalize Intel should its ownership in the foundry unit drop below 50%.

These are not the only executive changes Intel has made this year. In July, the company announced four new hires in sales and engineering, including Greg Ernst, who now serves as Intel's chief revenue officer.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/09/08/intels-chief-executive-of-products-departs-among-other-leadership-changes/

Why the U.S. Government Is Acquiring an Equity Stake in Intel

September 3, 2025 - The Trump administration is driven by its ambition to make the United States the global leader in artificial intelligence—and one crucial component of that strategy involves shifting semiconductor manufacturing back within national borders. To accelerate this push, President Trump has recently signaled proposed tariffs and other policies to encourage U.S.-based chip production.

In a groundbreaking move in late August, the administration transformed an existing federal grant—designed to bolster domestic chip manufacturing—into a 10% equity stake in Intel. The terms of the agreement include a provision granting the U.S. government additional shares if Intel’s control of its foundry business (which produces chips for global clients) falls below 50% within the next five years.

While Intel is not the only U.S.-based or internationally active semiconductor firm, it has clearly emerged as the focal point in the administration’s plan for AI supremacy. Let’s examine how Intel arrived in this prominent role.

Foundry Background

Intel launched its foundry arm in March 2021, pledging $20 billion toward constructing two new chip‑manufacturing plants in Arizona. The following year, it attempted a $5.4 billion acquisition of Tower Semiconductor, a custom foundry specialist—yet the deal collapsed in August 2023 over regulatory concerns.

Since then, Intel Foundry has struggled to gain traction; reports suggest it failed to attract major customers. In 2024, CEO Pat Gelsinger revealed steps were being taken to spin the business off as an independent subsidiary, amid mounting pressure from the board as Intel grappled with sluggish growth, cost-cutting efforts, and large-scale layoffs.

A potential lift appeared in November 2024, when Intel secured $7.86 billion in federal grants via the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, aimed at strengthening U.S. semiconductor production. Yet, by December, Gelsinger abruptly retired.

Lip‑Bu Tan Returns

In March, Intel appointed former board member Lip‑Bu Tan as CEO, immediately launching a turnaround plan focused on redefining business priorities, shedding non-essential units, and cutting headcount. By July, Intel announced pauses in certain manufacturing ventures, including delays to a planned $28 billion fab in Ohio.

Government Intervention

On August 6, Senator Tom Cotton raised concerns in a letter to Intel’s board regarding Tan’s China ties and his long leadership at Cadence Design Systems—which had been cited in export control violations. The next day, President Trump demanded Tan’s immediate resignation, citing conflict, though no evidence was provided.

By the following week, Tan met with Trump in Washington, D.C., setting the stage for deeper collaboration. Rumors soon emerged that the U.S. government might seek an equity role in Intel.

On August 18, SoftBank announced a $2 billion investment in Intel. Just four days later, the deal with the U.S. government was confirmed.

Deal Terms

The agreement allows Intel to receive the funding it was already granted—but in exchange, the government becomes an investor that pledges to support Intel’s direction. This move aims to preserve Intel’s commitment to domestic chip production and foundry investment.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/09/03/why-the-us-government-is-taking-a-stake-in-intel/

Intel is spinning off its Network and Edge group

July 25, 2025 - Intel is set to spin off its Network and Edge group, a division focused on developing semiconductor solutions for the telecommunications sector, according to an initial report by CRN. The move is part of Intel's broader effort to streamline its operations.

The chipmaker will retain a stake as an anchor investor in the newly independent company and will also seek additional outside funding to support the venture.

In May, reports emerged that Intel was exploring a potential sale of the Network and Edge group. The unit generated $5.8 billion in revenue in 2024.

This planned spinout echoes Intel’s earlier decision this month to divest its RealSense business, which specialized in stereoscopic imaging technology. RealSense was separated during former CEO Pat Gelsinger’s leadership and later launched independently with $50 million in venture backing.

TechCrunch has contacted Intel for further details regarding the timeline and specifics of the spinout.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/25/intel-is-spinning-off-its-network-and-edge-group/

Intel Scales Back Manufacturing Projects Under New CEO Lip-Bu Tan

July 24, 2025 - Intel is continuing to scale back its manufacturing footprint as part of a broader push to streamline operations and cut inefficiencies under new CEO Lip-Bu Tan.

In its second-quarter earnings report released Thursday, the semiconductor leader announced it will cancel or delay several manufacturing initiatives. Notably, Intel confirmed it will not proceed with its previously unveiled projects in Germany and Poland. These included a planned chip manufacturing facility in Germany and an assembly and testing plant in Poland—both of which have remained on hold since 2024, shortly after their announcement.

The company also revealed plans to consolidate its testing operations in Costa Rica, shifting those functions to existing facilities in Vietnam and Malaysia.

“Unfortunately, the capacity investment we make over the last several years were well ahead of demand and were unwise and excessive,” Tan said during the Q2 earnings call. “Our factory footprint has become needlessly fragmented. Going forward, we will grow our capacity based solely on the volume commitments and deploy capex lockstep with the tangible milestones, and not before.”

Additionally, Intel disclosed it will further delay construction of its $28 billion chip fabrication plant in Ohio. Originally slated to open in 2025, the project had already faced a delay in February this year.

This marks the first full quarter with Tan at the helm since he took over as CEO on March 12. Since stepping into the role, Tan has prioritized eliminating inefficiencies by divesting noncore assets and simplifying internal structures.

“We have much work to do in building a clean and streamlined organization, which we have started in earnest, and it remain an area of focus for me during Q3,” Tan stated. “Our goal is to reduce inefficiencies and redundancies and increase accountability at every level of the company.”

Intel also provided an update on its workforce reductions. The company now plans to end 2025 with 75,000 employees, reflecting a 15% cut. According to Tan, recent layoffs have helped eliminate 50% of the management layers. At the close of 2024, Intel employed 108,900 people, down from 124,800 at the end of 2023.

An internal memo in June revealed further cuts in the Intel Foundry business, with 15% to 20% of its workforce affected. This unit focuses on producing chips for external customers.

Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/24/intel-continues-to-pull-back-on-its-manufacturing-projects/