All Processing Bends Toward AI

Google is experimenting with machine learning to perform place-and-route in IC design and is getting great results. The revelation, announced last week at the ISSCC conference held here, is as important for artificial intelligence as it is for circuit design. AI has been the most massive thing in the electronics sector for years, pulling an extraordinary amount of semiconductor research in its direction along with venture capital and headlines. Acknowledging the obvious, the theme of this year’s Integrated Solid-State Circuits Conference was Integrated Circuits Powering the AI Era, and the opening plenary session was constructed to map the extent to which AI has warped semiconductor space. The four plenary speakers explained how the requirements of AI are, for example, driving a new category of processors architected specifically for AI applications alongside CPUs and GPUs; spurring innovations in structure e.g., chiplets, multichip packages, interposers; and are even influencing the development of quantum computing.

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Comfort Systems USA Announces Acquisition

Business Wire | February 01, 2024

Comfort Systems USA, Inc. today announced that it has closed its previously announced transaction to acquire Summit Industrial Construction, LLC (“Summit”) headquartered in Houston, Texas. As previously disclosed, Summit is a specialty industrial mechanical contractor offering engineering, design-assist and turnkey, direct hire construction services of modular systems serving the advanced technology, power, and industrial sectors. Summit’s capabilities encompass a wide range of modular and site-based construction, including process piping, equipment setting, large pipe rack trestles, and related steel erection and specialty concrete work. Summit is a trusted supplier to some of the world’s largest advanced technology, power and industrial companies and is currently deployed on several major chip fabrication projects. Initially, Summit is expected to contribute annualized revenues of approximately $375 million to $400 million, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of $35 million to $40 million. In light of the amortization expense, Summit is expected to make a neutral to slightly accretive contribution to earnings per share in 2024 and 2025. Brian Lane, Comfort Systems USA’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are delighted to announce the closing of our agreement to acquire Summit, an extremely capable provider of modular and other complex mechanical services. Summit brings a stellar reputation as a modular technology leader in growing end markets, including multiple ongoing and large semiconductor projects. We are happy to welcome Summit’s wonderful leadership team and excellent production and craft workers across many states, and we are confident Summit will continue to innovate and grow as a part of our network of world-class contracting companies. We are grateful that Summit has chosen to become part of Comfort Systems USA.”

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