CALUMET, Michigan, October 2, 2024 — Calumet Electronics of Michigan today announced it is
pioneering organic substrate technology in the United States in collaboration with KLA
Corporation, which also has a Michigan headquarters. IC substrate technology, which serves as
the foundation of semiconductor packaging, is one of the most critical factors in chip and
system performance. This technology will enable many advanced applications, including next-
generation aerospace, high-performance computing and artificial intelligence (AI). It will
also serve commercial applications, including advanced packaging solutions that are essential
for next-generation technologies such as 5G/6G, edge computing, and high-performance
communications.

Four years ago, Calumet Electronics, one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of printed
circuit boards, was called upon to expand domestic manufacturing of organic substrates. With
the support of US government customers, Calumet has successfully created prototypes, but as
a small company they knew having partners with broader experience and scale would be
essential as they move forward. KLA Corporation was an obvious choice. The two companies
have a history that spans more than two decades. That relationship, and KLA’s position as a
global technology leader, made the collaboration a natural fit.

“KLA brings tooling and equipment, but most importantly, they offer deep expertise in both
semiconductor chip manufacturing and advanced packaging,” said Calumet Electronics CTO
Meredith LaBeau. “They serve as mentors to our team, and our companies have a synergy that
will allow us to grow together to develop this groundbreaking work.” Calumet is currently
building a new 40,000 sq. ft. panel-level organic substrate factory — one of the first of its kind
in the United States — to accommodate the expansion and catalyze the nation.

KLA has customers around the world that are developing substrates, but they are especially
pleased to have a close technology partner in Michigan. “It’s exciting to have our latest
systems heading to Calumet Electronics,” said Chet Lenox, KLA fellow, industry and customer
collaboration. “Collaborating with the team at Calumet is a unique opportunity to help a
customer reach its goals with our technical solutions, while positioning us at the vanguard of
establishing IC substrate manufacturing in the U.S.”

California-based KLA Corporation is a global technology leader that develops equipment and
services to enable innovation throughout the electronics industry. The company provides
advanced process control and process-enabling solutions used in the manufacturing of
semiconductors and electronics. In 2021, KLA opened its state-of-the-art Ann Arbor campus,
which serves as the company’s second U.S. headquarters.

Calumet’s aim is to join KLA as a global leader in producing next-generation technologies.
“There is a deep need for commercial and strategic products to stay onshore,” said LaBeau. “It’s
an economic advantage and a matter of national security. But this challenge can’t be solved just
by Calumet — other companies will need to step up. We believe the United States can
successfully develop substrate technology here at home. We want to serve as a catalyst for
others by showing that it can be done.”

To learn more about the collaboration between Calumet Electronics and KLA, view a recent interview
with LaBeau and Lenox, hosted by Steve Arwood, Director of Strategic Initiatives for InvestUP.