Cornerstone CEO John Robison and VP of Operations Josh Terry recently attended Innovatrix’s 3rd Constructing Semiconductor FAB Summit, where owners, general contractors, trade partners and suppliers gathered to discuss what’s next for semiconductor construction.
Here are three insights that stood out to them, and why they matter for subcontractors.
#1: General Contractors Are Buying Directly From Manufacturers
More general contractors are purchasing equipment directly from manufacturers rather than through subcontractors. It makes sense—bulk buying gets GCs better pricing and shorter lead times.
It also changes the role trade partners play. The purchase and the installation aren’t always handled by the same company anymore. For us, that means the value we bring has to be in the work itself, including installation, commissioning and keeping equipment running, rather than being the one who orders it.
#2: The Semiconductor Construction Boom Isn’t Slowing Down
Talk at the summit pointed to continued growth in semiconductor construction through 2028. That lines up with what we’re seeing here in Texas, with the major semiconductor activity underway alongside existing facilities in the Sherman, Dallas and Austin areas.
More projects on similar timelines also mean increased pressure on two things: people and power.
#3: Skilled Labor and Grid Capacity Are the Real Bottlenecks
On the people side, qualified craft professionals are in short supply, and demand keeps outpacing availability as more projects run on the same compressed schedules. The good news is that colleges and technical schools are starting to invest in semiconductor-focused training programs. We’re paying attention to that pipeline and want to be a strong partner as it grows.
As for power, power companies haven’t kept pace with AI-driven demand. Connection times can stretch out as much as five years. That’s not a knock on utilities—they’re dealing with a surge nobody fully planned for. However, it’s a real factor for anyone planning a fab project timeline right now.
Trust, timing and people are shaping this industry as much as materials and equipment are. We’re grateful for the chance to be a part of these conversations, and we’re paying attention to what it takes to be a good partner as this market continues to grow and shift.
Are you a semiconductor manufacturer looking for your next reliability and precision partner? Contact the Cornerstone Mechanical team today.