You are refering to Robotron, which mostly is known for their Z80s knockoffs (which often were less buggy than the originals.) Given that they did not create chips of their new design, I would not describe them as having been 'strong', though.

Maybe more about AMD having had fabs there, which then transitioned into Globalfoundries?

Hm, "decades" implies GDR ... AMD eventually bought some of Robotron's facilities, though.

Possibly. But start of 2000 when AMD and Infineon in Dresden where in vogue is also more than a decade ago.

True. I like to avoid thinking that way. It makes me feel old.

sorry, misspelled infineon