#United States #Tempe #COO #Lawrence Semiconductor #Don Garrison

Lawrence Semiconductor Welcome New Leadership

On September 17, 2026, Lawrence Semiconductor, a prominent U.S.-based manufacturer specializing in engineered silicon and germanium epitaxial materials, announced a significant leadership change with the appointment of Don Garrison as General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. This move is expected to streamline the company's operations and enhance its capacity to cater to the increasing demand in various cutting-edge technology sectors including photonics, sensing, quantum computing, and defense.

Strategic Significance of the Appointment

Garrison's extensive background in semiconductor manufacturing, boasting over 25 years of experience, brings unparalleled expertise to Lawrence Semiconductor. Prior to this, he held the position of Vice President of Global Operations at Littelfuse, where he oversaw a vast organization and multiple manufacturing sites. His track record includes significant roles at NXP Semiconductors and Intel Corporation, where he gained valuable insights into semiconductor processes, epitaxy included.

Epitaxy Leadership

Lawrence Semiconductor functions as a merchant epitaxy foundry, which implies that it creates engineered layers utilized as starting materials for advanced microelectronic, photonic, and sensing devices. The company’s portfolio showcases an impressive range of specialty materials including silicon, germanium, silicon-germanium (SiGe), germanium-tin (GeSn), and isotopically enriched silicon-28. What sets Lawrence apart is its position as the only merchant source in the United States for production GeSn and silicon-28 epitaxy, complementing a small number of other global suppliers.

According to CEO Ali Torabi, "Lawrence produces advanced materials that a limited number of companies worldwide can replicate. Our customers build their most complex devices using our materials." With Garrison’s leadership, the company aims to confidently expand its capacity to meet the rapidly growing needs of specialty foundry services in the industry.

Garrison's Vision

Garrison acknowledges the unique challenges epitaxy presents in semiconductor manufacturing. "Having run epitaxy operations at various firms, I understand its complexity. Lawrence has managed it effectively for over 30 years, and my mission is to scale operations to satisfy heightened demand while ensuring the quality and reliability that our customers depend on," he stated.

Lawrence Semiconductor’s facilities in Tempe, Arizona, house a Class 100 cleanroom outfitted with 14 epitaxial reactors that operate continuously. The company holds an ISO 9001:2015 certification and is certified under the Department of Defense Joint Certification Program, which underscores its commitment to maintaining high standards in semiconductor manufacturing. Furthermore, they are in the process of implementing the IATF 16949 certification to bolster their capabilities in automotive and high-reliability production.

About Lawrence Semiconductor

Established in 1992, Lawrence Semiconductor is a privately owned U.S. specialty semiconductor materials manufacturer based in Tempe, Arizona. The company specializes in providing tailored silicon and germanium epitaxial materials for a variety of applications, including silicon photonics, infrared sensing, power electronics, optical interconnect, quantum computing, and defense, catering to both research and high-volume production demands.

In summary, the appointment of Don Garrison at Lawrence Semiconductor marks a pivotal step in the company's strategic direction. Under his leadership, the firm is poised to enhance its manufacturing efforts and respond adeptly to the evolving demands of the advanced technology landscape.

For further information, visit lawrencesemi.com.