Applied Materials is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen in communities where we do business. By donating our time, energy and resources where we can have the greatest impact, we are collectively acting upon our belief that making a positive social contribution defines not only who we are, but what we do.
Included below are this quarter's highlights of our activities in the community, demonstrating our dedication to corporate social responsibility. For previous reports, visit our archive. |
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Applied Materials Supports Solar Decathlon Teams
Applied Materials sponsored solar decathlon teams from the University of Texas at Austin and Santa Clara University as part of the United States Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon 2007, in which 20 schools from around the world compete to design, build and operate the most attractive and energy-efficient solar-powered home. The teams, compiled of engineering, arts and sciences and business undergraduate and graduate students, will transport their creations to Washington D.C.'s National Mall this October, where they will be judged in 10 areas to determine an overall winner, including aesthetics, engineering, and the house’s ability to produce enough solar electricity for multiple tasks.
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Employees Go Green
Applied employees around the globe participated in Earth Day activities by volunteering their time to clean up and improve the planet.
On April 21, Applied Materials Taiwan (AMT) hosted an outdoor activity for employees and members of the community to celebrate Earth Day. More than 700 people from Applied and the Hsinchu community toured the Mautu Discovery Forest as part of AMT's philanthropic outreach. AMT provided a wealth of ecological information and activities for participants such as recycling education, environmental do-it-yourself instruction, forest drawings for children and hiking activities.
Also in April, employees in Austin, Texas, and their families rolled up their sleeves to revitalize the city as part of the Keep Austin Beautiful Clean Sweep, the largest community-wide clean-up in the city. Employees joined another 3,700 volunteers at 100 different sites around town to clean up all areas of the city, including parks and schools. They even got in boats and cleaned up lakes. Volunteers then attended a volunteer party where they enjoyed music, food and the satisfaction of a job well done.
Additional projects included an Environmental Protection Photograph Contest that encouraged Applied Materials China (AMC) employees to submit photos focused on the need to and benefit of protecting the earth; an employee volunteer project in Israel to clear pathways and prune trees in a local park; and tree planting in Santa Clara and Austin.
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Social Responsibility
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A Commitment to Solar Energy
Applied Materials recently announced its plan to install nearly 2 megawatts of solar power generation capability at the Arques campus in Sunnyvale, California. This is believed to be the largest solar power installation on an existing non-retail commercial facility in the United States.
The installation will begin later this year and will be rolled out in three phases. The first phase is the installation of fixed polycrystalline modules, similar to those previously installed on the roof of the Maydan Technology Center in Sunnyvale. For the second and third phases, the company is considering the use of different technologies, such as sun tracking technology, to maximize output.
When the project is complete, Applied will have a silent, non-polluting 1.9 megawatt power plant on what is currently open roof space and parking areas. This solar initiative represents a major milestone in realizing the company’s sustainability goal of utilizing renewable energy sources while leveraging technology that Applied enables.
Applied’s solar strategy includes significantly driving down the overall solar cost-per-watt and working to align public policy in the United States to kick-start solar adoption through federal tax credits for solar power installations - providing all Americans with equal rights to access solar.
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Environmental Health & Safety
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Education as a Global Effort
As part of its mission to improve the way people live, Applied Materials makes philanthropic investments in education programs around the world. Recent highlights include:
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In partnership with the American India Foundation, Applied Materials inaugurated two new Digital Equalizer Centers which will enable rural and disadvantaged urban students to benefit from opportunities created by new technologies. Classes and access to computers will be provided to students and academics. |
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More than 200 college students submitted papers for review during Applied's Semiconductor Young Talent Camp in Taiwan. Fifty students were selected to attend a three-day semiconductor symposium to learn more about design and production while 20 additional "elite" students were invited to visit Applied in Santa Clara. |
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Applied's Hillsboro, Oregon field office partnered with Intel to host "SEMI High Tech U," a three-day interactive, hands-on program designed to introduce high school students to the relevancy of math, science and technology careers in the semiconductor and high-tech industries. More than 30 high school sophomores and juniors from five different schools in the Portland area participated in the classes which were co-taught by Applied and Intel employees. |
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In China, the Xi'an Innovation Fund supports universities and other research facilities in microelectronics and information technology research as well as in software development by providing scholarships to students and university research grants. |
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In Santa Clara, Applied hosted nearly 40 students from Santa Clara and Fremont high schools during Job Shadow Day activities. The students toured the Maydan Technology Center and job shadowed in Etch, Applied Implant Technology, Human Resources and AKT. |
Related Links:Community CommitmentEducation Initiative in US
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Applied Ranked as Corporate Citizen
Corporate Responsibility Officer (CRO) Magazine named Applied Materials to its list of "100 Best Corporate Citizens" based on best practices in the area of corporate social responsibility. The annual survey, now in its eighth year, ranks companies on community involvement, corporate governance, diversity, employee relations, environment, human rights, product and total return on investment.
The ranking reflects the company's value of making a positive social contribution in locations where its employees work and live.
"Applied Materials exemplifies what it means to be a good corporate citizen - it distinguishes itself from its peers by embracing higher standards, combining strong financial performance with responsible practices on environmental and social issues," said Michael Connor, Publisher and Editor of CRO Magazine. "I applaud them for continuing to raise the bar in Social Responsibility."
Many nonprofits and schools also benefited from our employee talent. Through the Volunteer Time Grant program, North America Applied Materials employees were able to direct about $50,000 to selected charities in 2006. Employees donating 20 service hours of personal time to eligible charities are able to log hours and direct a matching grant of $250 to their chosen organization. The volunteer program encourages employee involvement and provides additional resources to the communities in which we have a presence.
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Corporate Responsibility
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