Interview
Preparing for change
SEMICON Europa is on again at a time when the industry is at a cross roads in terms
of technology direction and market opportunities. David Ridsdale spoke with Heinz
Kundert, President of SEMI Europe, to get a sense of the issues that are relevant and
imperative to the equipment and material suppliers for the semiconductor industry.
H
einz Kundert has observed the European that Europe has a strong research capacity but stressed that
semiconductor industry change dramatically SEMI members also want a strong European market to sell
over a number of years but he firmly believes that Europe still products and seek manufacturing support in Europe.
has the fundamental requirements for a successful “SEMI will continuously address the critical issues and the
semiconductor industry. consequences of a declining manufacturing base in Europe
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“The one area where Europe is increasingly jeopardized is towards the EU and national governments”, says Kundert.
manufacturing mainly due to unbalanced funding in other Europe also has examples of success with Kundert
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regions,” laments Kundert. “Europe has maintained its pointing to the successful development of European
.eur impressive research capacity but the outcome of this work is technology clusters and Germany’s success in building a
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increasingly benefiting regions other than Europe.” strong solar industry.
SEMI Europe has raised this view on behalf of its “Germany’s feed-in tariff for the PV industry is a great
members for some time and has actively advocated change to example of long term industry development,” cites Kundert.
the EU. Kundert feels that the lack of manufacturing support “The PV industry would not have developed without the initial
in Europe is the major concern for the future of the industry governmental guidance and an understanding of the long-
and is keen to see committed resources across Europe in term impact on industry and employment.”
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recognition of semiconductors as an enabling technology. The semiconductor industry is a volatile and capital
“It will take initiatives by major European countries with a intensive industry that provides secondary and tertiary
foothold in semiconductor manufacturing or the European benefits to any region hosting and developing a
square4
Issue VI 2009
Union as a whole to take a stand and to draft a competitive manufacturing base but requires input at all levels and a long
industry policy to keep and expand the manufacturing base term vision. Kundert feels that although the recent financial
for semiconductors in Europe,” explained Kundert. crisis was unprecedented, all in all, the semiconductor
Other major issues facing the European and global industry has learnt to live with volatility to deal with such
semiconductor industry include the eventual introduction of events as part of the cycles.
450mm manufacturing and improving fab productivity. Both SEMI acts as a voice for its members in addressing issues
of these are issues that SEMI Europe feels will be well but Kundert makes it clear that change is required to improve
addressed for all levels of interest at SEMICON Europa. the public and governmental perception of an industry that
“450mm manufacturing will be adopted but companies enables almost every other industry sector. Kundert feels that
want to be better prepared for the impact than they were for much of the European impetus will be driven by each
300mm,” explained Kundert. “SEMI took a pro-active role on individual manufacturer combined with a strong political will
this topic two years ago with the commissioning of a study on of the European Union and its member states.
manufacturing flow and costs with pros and cons.” “European member states cannot expect to be a major
Improving fab productivity is an area that encompasses player in the global industry when manufacturing
most aspects of semiconductor manufacturing and companies semiconductors in Europe is not of primary concern,” states
seek improvements in cost and yield. SEMI addresses these Kundert. “Intellectual Property alone will not be enough to
topics through a range of conferences, symposiums and maintain a critical mass, more jobs and long term perspectives
meetings throughout the SEMICON show. Kundert agrees for our entire industry in Europe”.
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