PROVIDING THE TECHNOLOGY FOR TOMORROW’S SOLUTIONS Atotech’s Vice President Electronics, Gertjan Van-der-Wal, explains to Julia Snow how this promise is fulfilled in decorative and functional surface finishing, semiconductor and printed circuit board manufacturing.
W
ith annual sales of €893 million, Atotech is one of the world’s leading suppliers of integrated production systems, by providing chemistry, equipment and service for decorative and functional surface finishing, semiconductor and printed circuit board manufacturing. Their know-how is applied directly to customer oriented technology applications and related end-markets. Committed to sustainability, Atotech develops technologies that minimize waste and reduce environmental impact. The core business units – GMF (General Metal Finishing) and Electronics (Printed Circuit Board and IC-Substrate) contribute approximately 50 per cent to total sales each; but the additional business units such as Electronics Materials and Semiconductor Technology play an increasingly important role. Atotech was founded in 1993, when the Elf Atochem Group merged its M&T Harshaw operations with Schering Electroplating Division, whose experience in electroplating dates back to 1901. Today Atotech is a direct subsidiary of the world’s fifth-largest oil and gas company Total, which holds a leading position throughout the world in the markets of petrochemicals, fertilisers and specialty chemicals for consumer as well as industrial 108 Industry Europe
markets. Atotech has access to substantial resources and benefits from production, R&D and distribution synergies within the chemical branch of the group.
ing equipment in Feucht, Germany, is due to open in 2013, and more clean rooms in our international TechCenters will follow.
International presence
Developing a deep understanding of market needs
Being close to customers is a top priority for Atotech. The company employs over 4000 people in more than 40 countries. With Berlin as the international R&D and administration center, it has established regional headquarters with application centers in Rock Hill (USA) and Yokohama (Japan), supported by 40 regional service centers, of which 17 are specialised as TechCenters, providing advanced analytical and technical support. With 14 production plants for chemistry and two for equipment, Atotech ensures fast, on-time delivery all over the world. While maintaining the strong positions in Europe and the Americas, Atotech has responded to the growing Asian market and made large investments in this region. Today, there are plants and TechCenters in Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia, Czech Repbulic, India, China, Japan, Singapore, Italy, South Korea, Taiwan, Brazil, USA and Canada. “Our test and pilot line capacity is constantly increasing at all sites” reports Mr Van-der-Wal. “The new clean room for flat panel display and semiconductor manufactur-
Atotech focuses on providing systems solutions for its customers who target the key end-markets such as automotive, consumer electronics, industrial and medical, sanitary, furniture and construction industries. Customers are found in the field of worldleading job shop plating, printed circuit board, advanced packaging and semiconductor companies, as well as in Tier I, Tier II, Tier III, electronic manufacturing services and original equipment manufacturers. “Time to market is critical in markets like consumer electronics. “says Mr Van-der-Wal. “Although we are operating at the bottom of the supply chain, we try to be involved with the entire industry value chain to provide fast answers to current and future market needs. We talk and collaborate with OEMs, institutes, universities and external companies to develop solutions for future manufacturing techniques and to detect trends at an early stage.” Our dedicated OEM teams are in constant direct contact with the market leaders to align research and development projects
