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Published Oct 4, 2022

Pat Gelsinger came back to turn Intel around – here’s how it’s going

Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger reveals his strategic vision to restore Intel's dominance in the semiconductor industry through major advanced manufacturing plans, organizational restructuring, and innovative technologies, focusing on strengthening Intel’s global and domestic market position.
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  • Leadership Shift

    Pat Gelsinger's return to Intel marked a significant shift in leadership, with 70% of the team being new to their roles or the company. He emphasized the need for leaders who align with Intel's strategic goals and possess the necessary skills to drive the company's turnaround 1. Pat's decision to return was driven by his desire to restore Intel's iconic status, recognizing its foundational role in the technology industry and the importance of rebuilding Western supply chains 2.

    As I came back to the company, it needed to be refreshed. We had people that were good leaders in jobs that they weren't qualified for.

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    His leadership changes aim to position Intel as a key player in the global semiconductor landscape.

       

    Cultural Revamp

    Revitalizing Intel's engineering culture was a priority for Pat, who sought to reintroduce successful methodologies like the TikTok model and OKRs, which had been abandoned 3. He acknowledged the challenges of inheriting complex projects but stressed the importance of rebuilding customer confidence through quality and transparency 4.

    We have to sort of flush the pipe of those projects. We have to finish them, get them done, get the quality culture back.

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    Pat's efforts focus on reestablishing Intel's reputation for engineering excellence and reliability.

       

    Strategic Expansion

    Under Pat's leadership, Intel is expanding into new business areas like accelerated computing and graphics, despite criticisms to focus solely on core areas 5. A key strategy is the development of a systems foundry, which integrates advanced packaging and a rich ecosystem of chiplets, positioning Intel as a leader in semiconductor innovation 6.

    We're going to be a great wafer foundry, but we're also going to usher in the systems foundry era as well.

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    This approach aims to leverage Intel's scale and capabilities to meet the evolving demands of the semiconductor industry.

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