Corporate Responsibility

Sure, the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is a craze that is taking over social media. And, yes, it has been a tremendous fundraiser for the ALS Association as the organization combats Lou Gehrig’s disease through research, services and education.

When imagination and technology are focused on addressing everyday problems around the globe, amazing solutions are created.  This year’s 25 Tech Award finalists have applied technology to benefit humanity with projects that include deploying drones to prevent animal poaching in developing countries, designing a machine to deliver anesthesia in medical clinics without access to compressed oxygen or continuous grid power, and creating a mobile app to promote carpooling in busy Latin American cities. 

I am pleased to share the Applied Materials 2013 Citizenship Report which reflects the company’s commitment to social responsibility. I invite you to learn more about our environmental stewardship, sustainable business practices and community investments by exploring the report.

The culmination of a comprehensive STEM program providing high-value education and networking resources for grade school educators came to completion this month with the STEM² Summit: “Nurturing students’ curiosity and inspiring innovation.” The event was a capstone to a five-part, professional development series of workshops held over the past several months for educators from the North Shore of Massachusetts.

The Environmental Innovation Center demonstrates the power of creativity and collaboration to address local needs. Its three tenants share a commitment to discovering economic and environmental solutions that benefit the community.

The James C. Morgan Global Humanitarian Award, inspired by Applied Materials Chairman Emeritus, Jim Morgan, each year honors an individual whose broad vision and leadership are helping to address humanity's greatest challenges.We are pleased to announce that the 2014 honor will be presented to Ted Turner during the Tech Awards, an annual program recognizing innovators who are using technology to benefit humanity, in Silicon Valley in November. 

Applied Materials was named a 2014 World’s Most Ethical Company® by the Ethisphere Institute, a leading independent center of research promoting best practices in corporate ethics and governance. Now in its eighth year, Ethisphere’s annual award recognized Applied for continuing to demonstrate ethical leadership and corporate behavior.“Ethical business practices are foundational to Applied Materials’ success,” said Tom Larkins, senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary at Applied Materials.  “We recognize that ethics are a shared responsibility and would like to thank our employees for their continued commitment.”

Applied Materials employees in Gloucester, MA hosted several dozen grade school science teachers for two days of in-depth presentations on semiconductor manufacturing as well as tours of our research and development facility, in an effort to provide a glimpse into possible STEM career opportunities in their own backyard.

The numbers are in and the results are impressive!  In its nine year history, the Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot has raised nearly $4.5 million for local charities that provide food, shelter and health care for underserved residents of the region.This past Thanksgiving morning, despite the prediction of rain, skies and spirits were bright as community members of all ages took their place at the starting line— a mass of people that was four lanes wide and blocks and blocks long!