Industry chooses award winners
Starting any new project is fraught with concerns and hopes. It is much like starting a family and you want to ensure your progeny will flourish, realising its full potential. At the star of 2005 a decision was reached at Eurosemi that we would launch an entire new awards pocess for the microelectronics' industry. The idea grew and grew until the Eurosemi IC Industry Awards developed. The time has come to announce the winners and to look at what a big and successful baby the Eurosemi IC Awards have become.
What made these awards unique in the microelectronic industry was not simply that the winners were decided by those that use the tools, but that it demonstrated how well companies were respected by their clients. Our methods allowed companies to participate and enter and was weighted to ensure the smallest company could compete with the largest. What soon became apparent to us was the winners would be those companies that got behind their nomination as a company with their customers.
The results were a surprise at times but with over 4500 votes I feel a broad representation was achieved and the eventual winners deservedly attained their prize. Some larger companies were surprised at just how little support they received. Companies that had positive relationships were able to garnish support for their tool and process.
Manufacturers no longer wish to deal with companies that only provide a sevice. The microelectronics industry demands closer ties between customer and vendor that go beyond tool and maintenance. Tool and service suppliers are technology partners as the burden of research and development is now shared along the food chain. This change in the industry was evident in the comments of the voters and the application entry forms.
Eurosemi caught up with the most of the winners at this year's Semicon West show in San Francisco. As you can tell by the coverage in this and next month's European Semiconductor, the people at these companies were very happy to receive their award.
The theme of this year's awards was People and Processes and the response showed us how important the people are to the creation of a successful company.
The 2006 awards will get underway shortly to keep an eye out on the Eurosemi website http://www.eurosemi.eu.com as well as in Eurosemi magazines for further details. Don't miss out in 2006 for your chance to be involved in what is becoming an industry imperative. It is one thing to receive an award that is selected by a small group of industry onlookers but another thing altogether when the very people who you provide work for decide you are the best at what you do.
Nominations for the 2006 Eurosemi IC Industry Awards will be available in the Autumn and the quicker you are involved the more time you have to work your magic with customers and partners alike.
Everyone at Eurosemi would like to congratulate all the award winners and look forward to next year's nominations. We would also like to thank the wonderful companies that have supported our award process.
