ALBANY, NY – IBM Corp. will invest $1.5 billion in Albany and will build a semiconductor plant somewhere in upstate New York.

The investment is expected to increase research jobs to 325 at the University at Albany's College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. The state government is providing $25 million for new semiconductor equipment at that site.

In addition, the company will construct a 120,000 sq. ft. semiconductor packaging center at a location to be determined. Albany NanoTech will own and manage the facility, which reportedly will create more than 675 jobs.

In total, the state will spend $140 million, with IBM investing more than $10 for every $1 that New York spends, say published reports.

IRVINE, CA – Henkel Corp. named the executive team that will lead its electronics group, following its acquisition of the Adhesives and Electronics Materials businesses from National Starch and Chemical Co.

Under the direction of corporate senior VP Alan Syzdek, the electronics group of Henkel will be organized on a global basis by industry sector.

Dr. Michael Todd will lead Henkel’s global product development initiatives as vice-president of product development and engineering, with more than 18 years’ materials development experience.

Former Ablestik general manager, Andreas Mader, has been tapped to head Henkel’s semiconductor group.

To direct its electronics assembly business, the company has selected former Emerson & Cuming general manager Joe DeBiase. DeBiase has more than 20 years’ experience in electronic materials for the PCB fabrication and electronic assembly industries. 

Rounding out the executive appointments is Doug Dixon, global marketing director.

Management of the operational organization is the responsibility of Dr. Michael Reilly, former National Starch vice-president of global operations.

Overseeing the development of the business is the role of Zhiwei Cai, former Henkel global vice-president of product management.

Other key appointments to the leadership team include Luc Godefroid, who heads the project management office, and Hilary Norris, who leads the company’s financial team.

MARSHFIELD, MA – Alden Johnson, 64, died July 8 from what his family believes to be a massive heart attack.

Johnson was a chemical and metallurgical engineer who held several patents at Speedline Technologies before retiring from the company about four years ago.

Most recently, he was chairman of the Marshfield Agricultural Commission, a Eucharistic minister at Trinity Episcopal Church, a Mason in Scituate, and on the board of directors of the William Lawrence Camp in New Hampshire.