Intel has announced a $2 billion expansion to its plant in Ireland for manufacturing a new generation of ultra-fast microprocessors. Intel says it will build a 60,000 square-foot facility for manufacturing its next planned chip line, called Fab 24-2. Construction has begun and the plant is schedule to produce chips in 2006.

"This additional investment in the factory will help ensure that we have leading-edge manufacturing capacity to meet customer needs in 2006," says Bob Baker, Intel's senior vice president of its technology manufacturing group.