Applied Materials, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMAT),
the global leader in Nanomanufacturing Technology solutions with a broad portfolio
of innovative equipment, service and software products for the fabrication of
semiconductor chips, flat panel displays, solar photovoltaic cells, flexible
electronics and energy efficient glass, announced today a reorganization of
certain members of its executive staff, effective immediately.
“Applied Materials has seen a tremendous transformation both in our business
as well as in the industries we serve over the past several years. We have extended
our leadership in semiconductor equipment to leadership in flat panel display
equipment and, most recently, leadership in solar equipment,” said Mike
Splinter, chairman and CEO of Applied Materials. “We must further evolve
as a company in order to stay at the forefront of the industries where we compete
and today’s announcement sets us firmly on that path.”
The changes announced today include:
Silicon Systems Group
Tom St. Dennis has announced his intention to resign as senior vice president,
general manager Silicon Systems effective October 2. Randhir Thakur will assume
leadership of the Silicon Systems Group (SSG). Thakur had previously been senior
vice president and general manager of the Display and SunFab Solar Group. As
head of SSG, Thakur will focus on strengthening the company’s leadership
in its core wafer fabrication equipment markets and on extending its position
in key growth markets of etch and inspection. With revenues of $4 billion in
FY08, the Silicon Systems Group encompasses Applied Materials’ entire
portfolio of semiconductor manufacturing systems.
Energy and Environmental Solutions
In order to take advantage of increasing overlap in the crystalline silicon
and thin film solar markets and align more deeply on strategy, investments and
business development, Applied Materials’ solar organizations will be combined
under the leadership of Mark Pinto as senior vice president and general manager
of Energy and Environmental Solutions (EES). Pinto will continue to serve as
chief technology officer for Applied Materials. Pinto will build on the company’s
leadership in solar, increase share of the market through new products and deliver
on new growth opportunities in energy and environment. With revenues of more
than $800 million in FY08, Applied Materials’ Energy and Environmental
Solutions group is the world’s leading provider of equipment to the solar
industry.
Applied Global Services
Manfred Kerschbaum will assume the role of chief of staff, helping to drive
the company’s business strategy around the world. Kerschbaum had previously
been senior vice president and general manager of Applied Global Services (AGS).
Charlie Pappis, corporate vice president of AGS, with more than 20 years of
experience in many areas throughout the company, will take over as general manager
of AGS. Pappis will lead AGS with a focus on growing revenue through an integrated
solutions-based approach and by expanding its portfolio of services to support
the success of customers. AGS had revenues of more than $2.3 billion in FY08.
Display
Jim Scholhammer will continue as general manager for Display. Scholhammer has
been a member of the executive leadership team for Display since he joined the
company through the acquisition of Applied Films in July 2006. With revenues
of nearly $1 billion in FY08, the Display group is the world’s leading
provider of equipment to the flat panel display market.
Sales
Franz Janker has assumed a new position as executive vice president, Corporate
Account Management. In this new role, Janker will lead Applied Materials’
efforts to build strong connections and communication channels with major customers.
The company will realign its sales account team structure to embed the sales
function into each of its business organizations.