Toilet-maker Toto expects spending in its chip-related operations to make up more than half of its total capital expenditures in coming years, as it chases new gains from an artificial intelligence surge.
The maker of heated toilet seats and bidets is capitalizing on an unexpected surge in demand from chip gear makers seeking Toto¡¯s expertise in ceramics designed to withstand dirt particles, corrosive materials and high temperatures. A global rush in AI spending is lifting sales of Toto¡¯s electrostatic chucks, which hold silicon wafers in place during chip fabrication, and other materials used in chipmaking.
Toto will prepare a production environment where ¡°we can respond to demand properly,¡± Chief Technology Officer Ryosuke Hayashi said in an interview.
With your current subscription plan you can comment on stories. However, before writing your first comment, please create a display name in the Profile section of your subscriber account page.