SEMI v Final DR 18/12/08 10:53 Page 20
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BUSINESS NEWS
While funding from the European Union is available, the structure is
complex with many agencies involved in addition to the member
states. Lack of co-ordination among countries poses challenges
Panel One: Vision
There is a need for a concerted effort within the European Union
government as well as co-operation with member states to
promote the industry. Politicians at many levels must be more
proactive and must recognise that it is not an issue of
competition within Europe but rather a global competition.
The industry must organize better within Europe and partner
with customers, downstream industries and others to promote the
vision for the industry’s future in Europe.
In cases of unfair competition from outside the EU,
companies are encouraged to compile information about these
practices and work with government to level the playing field.
The industry must make it clear to both policymakers and the
public that the industry is a key to the reindustrialisation of
Europe, particularly since this sector offers the technology upon
which so many other sectors are based and can help solve
SEMI Board members Gilbert Declerck, President & CEO of pressing societal challenges, such as the development of
IMEC, Heinz Kundert, President, SEMI Europe, André- renewable energies.
Jacques Auberton-Hervé, CEO of Soitec,Werner Mohr, Vice-
Chairman Programmes at Catreneand Franz Richter, Panel Two: R&D and Manufacturing
President & CEO, Thin Materials with Viviane Reding, While there are different models, there is often a strong link
European Commissioner for Information Society and Media between R&D and manufacturing. Panelists emphasized the need
for companies to exploit ideas, use R&D investments efficiently
The basis for the Forum was the recently released SEMI and to remain innovative.
White Paper, “6 Recommendations to the European Union and While funding from the European Union is available, the
National Governments to Increase Europe’s Microelectronic structure is complex with many agencies involved in addition to
Industry Competitiveness.” The six recommendations are: the member states. Lack of co-ordination among countries poses
challenges. R&D projects rely on highly skilled professionals. A
ring6 Develop a European Vision for the Industry key challenge is continued availability of and access to talent,
ring6 Increase Funding for R&D and Manufacturing particularly for a cyclical industry.
ring6 Promote the Microelectronics Supply Chain
ring6 Cultivate Education and Welcome Talent Panel Three: SMEs and Clusters
ring6 Protect and Enforce Intellectual Property The cluster model has proven to be quite effective by bring
ring6 Involve SEMI Europe in New EHS Legislation together industry, universities and research centers and
capitalizing on the interconnections among them. Noteworthy
The Forum began with an overview of the semiconductor European semiconductor clusters include Grenoble, Saxony and
equipment and materials industry by SEMI Europe President the Nijmegen/Eindhoven/Leuven triangle.
Heinz Kundert. Kundert emphasised the 215,000 direct high- Much of the industry’s growth is concentrated among SMEs,
skills jobs throughout the semiconductor supply chain in Europe about 85 percent of SEMI’s membership, with clusters also
and the contributions that the enabling technology of receiving critical support from the larger players. Panelists
semiconductors provide to many other critical sectors. Enrico recommend creating a network of clusters to work in partnership
Villa, Senior Advisor to the CEO and COO of STMicroelectronics to promote the collective industry in Europe.
and Vice President of ESIA discussed the landscape for the As a result of the successful SEMI Brussels Forum, the
device industry. Villa urged the government to adopt an industry SEMI European Advisory Board is preparing a strategy to
policy for the microelectronics industry and urged the industry to continue to promote the vision for the industry with high level
build upon its strengths. officials. Working together, we can improve the competitiveness
of the semiconductor equipment and materials industry in
Fifteen expert speakers from government, industry and research Europe and foster a positive environment for a critical
organisations discussed key competitiveness issues through three technology sector. From the feedback received, follow-up actions
panels: 1) Vision; 2) R&D and Manufacturing; and 3) Small and to be urgently taken by the organisation include (1) follow-up
Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Clusters. The following and present again actionable items to the European Commission,
are some of the key themes from each panel. with backing of the industry ‘at large’ (2) work also at
national level.
www.euroasiasemiconductor.com December 2008 / January 2009
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