Press Release
24 September 2019
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Mr Heng Swee Keat today conferred the Distinguished Partner in Progress (DPIP) Award upon Applied Materials, Inc. (“Applied”), recognising the company’s significant economic and community contributions to Singapore.
Applied is the largest employer and contributor to the output of Singapore’s semiconductor equipment industry. The company’s presence in Singapore has grown from a small sales and service office established in 1991, to a large business and operations hub with more than 900 employees supporting diverse functions, including manufacturing and R&D.
Applied’s Singapore Operations Centre is the company’s largest manufacturing facility outside the United States, accounting for about half of the company’s annual production of semiconductor equipment globally. Applied also actively partners with research institutes in Singapore, to work on areas such as semiconductor materials and advanced packaging. For example, Applied launched its Advanced Materials Corporate Lab with the National University of Singapore in 2018, to undertake research on innovative chip materials and processing technologies.
With the growth of Applied’s operations in Singapore, the company has created many good jobs and career opportunities for Singaporeans. In addition, Applied’s manufacturing activities has benefitted the local supplier ecosystem. Small and medium sized enterprises like A & One Precision Engineering and Richport Technology have become key suppliers to Applied.
“With strong engineering talent, top universities and a vibrant culture of innovation, Singapore is an important part of the global technology ecosystem,” said Mr Gary Dickerson, president and CEO of Applied Materials. “Applied Materials is deeply honored to receive the Distinguished Partner in Progress Award, and we look forward to building upon our success in Singapore as we work together to make possible the technology shaping the future.”
Dr. Beh Swan Gin, Chairman of the Singapore Economic Development Board, congratulated Applied Materials on being conferred the award. He said, “Applied Materials has played an instrumental role in the development of the semiconductor equipment industry in Singapore. We look forward to the continued partnership with Applied as they build new capabilities in manufacturing and R&D, and create good business and job opportunities in Singapore.”
Since its inauguration in 1991, 35 foreign companies have been conferred the DPIP Award. Pioneers or global leaders in their industries, the DPIP recipients bring significant value through a variety of strategic activities in Singapore, such as manufacturing, research and development, and business control tower functions, all of which generate good business and job opportunities for Singapore.
