As part of our annual 3D InCites Awards program, we decided this year to turn the spotlight on two areas that we think are critical for the future of society: sustainable semiconductor manufacturing and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). These topics are so important that we chose to have the Sustainability Award and SemiSister Award selected by committees of experts in the area. The committees came up with a shortlist, set criteria, did research, and weighed the candidates against the criteria, coming up with a list of five finalists for each category. Upon further review, the committee will select the winners, which will be announced on March 29, along with the winners of the 3D InCites Awards themselves.
The 3D inCites Sustainability Award
The 3D InCites Sustainability Award was created to recognize excellence in developing and adhering to best practices for sustainable semiconductor manufacturing.
Many thanks to our committee members Deborah Knuckey, Managing Director, Sustainability Strategy, Kiterocket; Dean Freeman, Chief Analyst, Freeman Technology and Market Advisors; and Julia Goldstein, Owner, JLFG Communications, Author of Material Value, who developed the following criteria for awards consideration:
- Commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly
- # 6: Clean water and sanitation
- #7: Affordable and clean energy
- #12: Responsible consumption and production
- #13: Climate action
- Their rigor of reporting, delving into data presented in their most recent CSR/Sustainability reports on greenhouse gas emissions, adoption of clean energy, water use, handling of hazardous and non-hazardous waste, and more. The committee looked both at progress to date and future goals.
- Creative solutions that go beyond conventional practices to address the above issues
- Other recent awards and recognition for sustainability, including 2020 scores from CDP Global on climate change and water security
What they discovered is that while many companies are making efforts to address sustainable manufacturing, not all meet these particular standards. The committee announced the following five finalists:
- Intel
- ASE
- Lam Research
- Tokyo Electron (TEL)
- ST Microelectronics
The SemiSister Award
The 2021 SemiSister Award recognizes a company or organization in the microelectronics industry that is demonstrating significant efforts to foster gender diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Our esteemed committee members: Margaret Kindling, Sr. Program Manager, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, SEMI Foundation; Salah Nasri, Executive Managing Partner – International Semiconductor Executive Summits; and Joanne Itow, Managing Director, Semico Research did their due diligence in selecting its shortlist and finalists based on the following criteria:
Inclusion
- Has the nominee built, expanded or supported an inclusive workplace culture?
- Does the nominee create an environment of inclusion and belonging, through ERGs or other affinity groups?
Diversity
- Does the nominee ensure a diverse pool of candidates in the hiring process?
- Does nominee lead in diversity, equity and inclusion improvements within their organization Influences others in the larger community by words and actions
- Does the nominee implement recognizable solutions to diversify leaders, managers, and the employee pipeline?
Equity
- Does the nominee show rigorous, effective analyses of employee pay equity designed to identify and solve problems?
- Does the nominee inspire and lift others to address social justice and systemic racism which affects it, and work towards a solution?
Access
- Does the nominee make talent development, leadership, and advancement opportunities accessible to all?
- Are there mentors and sponsors available to advance women and underrepresented groups?
Leadership
- Does the nominee develop and implement senior management-level human capital strategies and structures to all employees?
- Does the nominee encourage and influence peers to lead in diversity, equity, and inclusion improvements within their organization Influences others in the larger community by words and actions?
Bonus
- Does the organization have a purpose-driven mindset, and does it instill that mindset in its employees to support the community?
Based on these criteria, the committee announces the following five finalists for the SemiSister Award are:
- ANSYS
- Brewer Science
- Edwards
- FormFactor
- Lam Research
Whether they are a finalist for the Sustainability Award, the SemiSister Award, or in the case of Lam Research – both – we recognize them all for investing in creating a sustainable, diverse, equitable, and inclusive society. It is quite an achievement just to be named as a finalist. Please join me in congratulating these companies.
