Corporate Responsibility

Innovation changes lives on a daily basis – and in very dramatic ways for people challenged by some of our world’s greatest problems.  Educational inequity, access to clean water, poverty, health issues, and limited opportunities for economic prosperity.It is reassuring to know that some of today’s best and brightest innovators are using technology to benefit humanity.  Each fall, a select group of these humanitarians is honored at the Tech Awards, presented by Applied Materials, which raises funds for the Tech Museum in San Jose, CA.Get a glimpse into some of these Tech Laureates’ solutions to our society’s most critical problems by watching this short and inspiring video.

Veteran and novice teachers are learning together how to improve educational outcomes for their students at William C. Overfelt High School in San Jose, California.Led by the New Teacher Center, this professional collaboration is helping to transform teaching and learning at the high school in one of the lowest income neighborhoods in Silicon Valley, and it exemplifies the Applied Materials Foundation’s investment in teachers.  In addition to funding the New Teacher Center’s work at Overfelt, the Foundation is supporting similar efforts in Austin, Texas, Portland, Oregon, and Kalispell, Montana, all communities where Applied Materials has a presence. 

The holiday spirit was in full effect at Applied Materials’ 17th annual Helping Hands Day this past Saturday morning.  Chairman and CEO Mike Splinter joined approximately 300 employees and their families (Santa hats and reindeer antlers optional) at Second Harvest of Santa Clara and San Mateo’s new Cypress Center where they continued Applied’s long-standing tradition of helping assemble and pack 6,000 boxes of food.

Our project to install a 2.5 megawatt wind turbine at Applied’s Varian Semiconductor Equipment site at Gloucester, MA is nearing completion.Last month we posted a time-lapse video showing the transport of one of the 160-foot long rotor blades through the streets of Gloucester.Now, here are some snapshots from the process of mounting the rotor assembly to the nacelle which sits atop the 328 foot tall tower. With National Grid approval scheduled for November 26 we’re just days away from throwing the switch!Click through to see all the photographs.

Applied Materials has once again rallied employees for the company’s Annual Food Drive.  With a history of more than 30 years of community involvement, Applied runs one of the largest corporate food drives in North America where employees join together to donate time, food and funds to make a difference in the community.  Applied Materials President Gary Dickerson and Kathy Jackson, Chief Executive Officer, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties kicked off the 2012 Applied Materials Food Drive at the company headquarters in Santa Clara, CA by donating more than 8,000 pounds of food.

Things are looking up … always up… since the Applied Materials Silicon Valley Turkey Trot started eight years ago.  A solid base of volunteers has supported an ever growing number of community members who gather in downtown San Jose to join a 5K walk or 10K run on Thanksgiving morning.  And, the dollars raised for three charities have hit a new high each year.Join us this Thanksgiving morning for the Turkey Trot by registering TODAY to help generate funds for Second Harvest Food Bank, the Housing Trust of Santa Clara County, and the Children’s Health Initiative.Help us put the 2012 Silicon Valley Turkey Trot over the top!

I’m proud to share that Applied Materials was recognized today for its outstanding support of military veterans and National Guard and Reserve members and has been designated a 2013 Top 100 Military Friendly Employer by G.I. Jobs.

It is a thrill to experience the energy, creativity, and enthusiasm of young people from around the world as they apply their curiosity and talents to address significant global challenges.  There are budding scientists and innovators all around us and I have been fortunate to recently visit with some of the best.On an October Saturday in Datong City, China, one hundred students from 35 universities melded into five integrated, multi-lingual teams and immediately found their unique competitive spirit.  The teams eagerly answered trivia questions, celebrated correct answers, and were awarded materials allowing them to build a traditional Chinese structure – an Ancient Chinese Bucket Arch which is created by locking beams and requires no nails or cement to stand for hundreds of years. Amazing!

A “sneak peek” of the much anticipated 2.5 megawatt wind turbine — one of the largest turbines on the eastern seaboard — which is making its way to the Applied Materials Gloucester, MA site!When completed, the installation of the wind turbine will supply greater than 30% of the site’s electricity and reduce site operating expenses by more than $1 million annually. What’s more, 99% of the power generated by the turbine will be used on-site, resulting in a 34% projected reduction in CO2 emissions—greatly reducing Applied’s carbon footprint.