KLA-Tencor Singapore: Company Culture, Benefits, & Leadership

California-based KLA Corporation specializes in capital equipment, offering customized process control and yield management systems for the semiconductor and nanoelectronics sectors. In Singapore, KLA has four offices and manufacturing facilities, acknowledged among the nation's Top 50 Best Employers. The diverse workforce includes engineers and research scientists. Aniday offers insights on KLA-Tencor Singapore, encompassing Company History, Culture, Benefits, and Leadership.

General Information

KLA Corporation, headquartered in Milpitas, California, is an American company specializing in capital equipment. The company provides process control and yield management systems tailored for the semiconductor industry and other closely associated nanoelectronics sectors. 

Based in the nation's capital, KLA Singapore operates from four offices and manufacturing facilities across the country. Recognized among Singapore's Top 50 Best Employers by The Straits Times, their workforce is diverse and multidisciplinary, comprising engineers, research scientists, and problem-solvers. 

History

Formation and Early Focus (1997):

• KLA-Tencor was established in 1997 through the merger of KLA Instruments and Tencor Instruments.

• The merger aimed to consolidate chip process and diagnostics equipment into a single source.

Founding and Expansion (KLA Instruments):

• KLA Instruments, founded in 1975 by Ken Levy and Bob Anderson, initially focused on photomask detection.

• The company later expanded its product line to include wafer inspection, wafer metrology, and integrated inspection and analysis software.

Founding and Innovation (Tencor):

• Tencor, founded in 1976 by Karel Urbanek and John Schwabacher, focused on precise measurements of semiconductor film layer thickness.

• In 1984, Tencor developed laser-scanning technology for detecting particles and contamination, expanding into defect review and data analysis equipment.

Merger Details (1997):

• At the time of the merger, the combined revenue of KLA Instruments and Tencor Instruments exceeded $1 billion.

Strategic Acquisitions (1998-2018):

• ADE Corporation (1998): a supplier of metrology and inspection systems for semiconductor manufacturing.

• Phase Metrics (2003):a company specializing in overlay metrology systems, in 2003.

• OnWafer Technologies (2007): a provider of advanced overlay and line-width metrology solutions.

• ICOS Vision Systems (2010): a Belgian company specializing in advanced 3D optical inspection and metrology solutions for various industries, including semiconductor packaging.

• Zeta Instruments (2017): a company known for its optical surface profilers and defect inspection systems used in various industries, including the semiconductor and LED markets.

KLA-Tencor's strategic acquisitions have elevated its standing in the semiconductor industry. These moves have driven technological advancements, resulting in advanced process control solutions. Diversifying its product portfolio has enabled KLA-Tencor to meet evolving industry needs and expand its customer base. 

Global expansion was achieved through acquisitions in different regions, addressing specific market demands. Integration of complementary technologies strengthened the company's competitive position, ensuring leadership in innovation. 

Name Change and Expansion (2019):

• In January 2019, KLA-Tencor announced a name change to KLA Corporation.

• The acquisition of Orbotech was completed in February 2019.

• The name change officially took effect in July 2019.

Further Expansion and Innovation (2019-2021):

• In June 2019, plans for a second U.S. headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, were announced.

• KLA Corporation introduced new inspection products for automotive chips in July 2021.

• In November 2021, the new North American headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan, opened, with a facility designed to support 1,000 employees.

Products  

KLA Corporation's comprehensive range of products and services is designed to support various stages of wafer, reticle, integrated circuit (IC), and packaging production, spanning from research and development to the ultimate volume manufacturing phase.

Company Culture 

Inclusion & Diversity at KLA is a collective aspiration, commitment, and responsibility. They embrace the diversity among employees, customers, and partners, and they are dedicated to cultivating a deeply rooted culture of inclusion and workplace diversity.

Inclusion for All 

• It is a fundamental embodiment of KLA's core values, and each of them contributes to establishing an inclusive culture both within their workplace and communities. At KLA, their pledge is to foster an inclusive workplace where diversity is appreciated, and every individual feels a genuine sense of belonging – their commitment is to be inclusive for all.

Education and Inclusive Hiring at KLA: 

• KLA fosters continuous learning through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and various forums, empowering employees to drive education, share experiences, and celebrate cultural diversity. Workshops cover themes like Identity and Membership, Inclusive Leadership, and discussions on LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion in the workplace.

• In terms of hiring, KLA employs the Textio platform to enhance inclusivity in job descriptions, attracting a diverse pool of qualified talent for various roles.

Leadership Development

• In a 15-year partnership with Women Unlimited, KLA has provided leadership development to over 150 female employees, supporting their professional growth into leadership roles across all management levels.

Employee Benefits

At KLA, you'll encounter continuous challenges, a multicultural environment, abundant growth prospects, a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package, and a welcoming hiring process.

Financial:

• Competitive salary and bonuses

• Employee stock purchase plan

• Annual wage supplement and regional bonus

• Employee assistance program

• Cash and service awards

Health & Income Benefits:

• Medical and dental care for employees and their families

• Group insurances

• Company gym

• Employee interest groups

• Award-winning overseas training and development program

Company Leadership

Theo Kneepkens - Senior Vice President Global Operations: overseeing manufacturing operations in the United States, Israel, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, and China. He joined KLA in 2005, initially tasked with establishing the company's new manufacturing facility in Singapore. 

Conclusion 

KLA Corporation, based in California, specializes in capital equipment, providing tailored process control and yield management systems for the semiconductor and nanoelectronics industries. In Singapore, KLA operates from four offices and manufacturing facilities, recognized among the Top 50 Best Employers in the nation. The workforce is diverse, including engineers and research scientists. Aniday has provided insights on KLA-Tencor Singapore, covering Company History, Culture, Benefits, and Leadership.