CEC & KLA COLABORATE TO LEAD SEMICONDUCTOR TECHNOLOGY

Calumet Electronics Leads US Organic Substrate Technology Innovationย with KLA Corporation

  • Collaboration helps strengthen domestic semiconductor
    manufacturing capabilities
  • New 40,000 square foot manufacturing facility โ€“ the first of its kind in the US โ€“ expands capacity of the Michigan technology ecosystem
  • A full video interview with KLAโ€™s Chet Lenox and Calumetโ€™s Dr. Meredith LaBeau is availableย here.

CEC and KLA video image

CALUMET, Michigan, October 2, 2024 โ€” 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 nationโ€™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 KLAโ€™s position as a
global technology leader, made the collaboration a natural fit.

โ€œKLA brings tooling and equipment, but most importantly, they offer deep expertise in both
semiconductor chip manufacturing and advanced packaging,โ€ said Calumet Electronics CTO
Meredith LaBeau. โ€œThey serve as mentors to our team, and our companies have a synergy that
will allow us to grow together to develop this groundbreaking work.โ€ Calumet is currently
building a new 40,000 sq. ft. panel-level organic substrate factory โ€” one of the first of its kind
in the United States โ€” 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. โ€œItโ€™s exciting to have our latest
systems heading to Calumet Electronics,โ€ said Chet Lenox, KLA fellow, industry and customer
collaboration. โ€œCollaborating 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.โ€

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 companyโ€™s second U.S. headquarters.

Calumetโ€™s aim is to join KLA as a global leader in producing next-generation technologies.
โ€œThere is a deep need for commercial and strategic products to stay onshore,โ€ said LaBeau. โ€œItโ€™s
an economic advantage and a matter of national security. But this challenge canโ€™t be solved just
by Calumet โ€” 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.โ€

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

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Calumet Electronics logo

Application for Employment

References:

List three individuals not related to you, whom you have known at least one year.

Reference #1
Reference #2
Reference #3

Current and former employers:

Most recent employer
Employer #2
Employer #3
Employer #4
Employer #5

Please read the following statement carefully before signing to indicate your understanding.

I understand that, prior to being offered employment, I may be requested to take an employment examination. In the event I have a disability that will affect my ability to take the test, I will so inform the Company prior to the test so that a reasonable accommodation can be made. The Company reserves the right to require medical documentation regarding the need for accommodation.

Calumet Electronics Corporation participates in pre-employment drug testing.

I understand and agree that, if hired, my employment is at-will, meaning it is for no definite period and may, regardless of the date of payment of my wages and salary, be terminated with or without cause, at any time, with or without notice. This provision supersedes any oral or written representation to the contrary unless in writing and signed by both a Human Resources Representative and the person to whom the writing is directed. I authorize investigation of all statements contained in this application for any employment-related purpose. I release the listed references and all employers, except those specifically noted* to provide you with any applicable information they may have. I hereby release these references and former employers from all liability for any information they may give to the Company.

I certify that the facts contained in this application are true, accurate, and complete to the best of my knowledge, and understand that, if employed, falsified statements or omitted material facts on this application may result in my disqualification from consideration for employment, or termination from employment if I have been hired.

Calumet Electronics Corporation is an equal employment opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of any characteristic that is protected by State or Federal law.