CASE STUDY  KLA-TENCOR


Contact: Efren Lopez
Sr. Director Knowledge Services
KLA-Tencor
One Technology Drive
Milpitas, CA 94451
ETP Funding: $3,600,000

KLA-Tencor has recently entered the clean technology manufacturing industry with two key products. The first is targeted for the manufacturing of photovoltaic or “solar” cells which are used to produce electrical power from light. The continuing growth of the solar industry is closely related to the production cost of solar cells, as consumer demand increases with lowering prices. KLA-Tencor manufactures the ICOS ® PVI inspection system which is designed for high speed, automated, optical in-line inspection and the P-6 TM surface profiling system that provides analysis of surface topography for issues such as roughness, film stress and curvature for solar cell samples up to 150mm.

KLA-Tencor representatives state that a comprehensive worker training program is needed at its Milpitas facility due to major advances in semiconductor manufacturing technology. Today’s market, driven by consumer demand for low-cost electronic goods from smart phones and MP3 players to laptops and portable devices, the top semiconductor manufacturers are now building advanced Fab facilities that cost over $5 billion, substantially more than previous generation facilities. These customers are demanding increased productivity and higher returns from their manufacturing equipment and are also seeking ways to extend the performance of their existing equipment.

Under this ETP contract KLA-Tencor will deliver training to expand employee skills so that they gain expertise to work in technological areas enabling them to adapt to changing business requirements and to improve their productivity. This training proposal offers a spectrum of skills that include advanced technology, manufacturing, continuous improvement, business, management and computer skills.