ISMI News

SEMATECH Member Group Develops Online Competitive Source Database

Austin, TX (22 June, 2005) – A SEMATECH-led supply-chain panel has created an exclusive online database that will provide members of the consortium and its ISMI subsidiary with worldwide information on equipment availability, repair services, consumables, spare parts, and other manufacturing-related details.

The Competitive Sourcing Database, initiated by SEMATECH’s Supplier Relations Action Council (SRAC) Spares and Service Committee (SSC) and sponsored by ISMI, is designed to hold information on the products and capabilities of hundreds of voluntarily registered suppliers. Users will be able to quickly obtain data on supplier types, locations, repair and refurbishing availability, R&D capabilities, factory module, and other focus areas.

“This database will help the members of SEMATECH and ISMI improve the key areas of our spares cost reduction initiatives, including competitive supplier sourcing and greater availability of repair and refurbishment services,” said Al Garcia, a former SSC chairman.

Information for the database will be gathered from suppliers who register using a form on SEMATECH’s public website at http://ismi.sematech.org/forms/scr.htm. SSC personnel will screen and verify the information, then enter it into the database, which can be accessed by member company employees from SEMATECH’s secure website.

“This unique supplier database will help our members improve their efficiencies in the equipment spares supply chain, while reducing their equipment cost of ownership,” said John Schmitz, SEMATECH Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Manufacturing Technologies. In particular, Schmitz said the database will benefit members by providing such advantages as:

  • More cost-effective procurement and management of spare parts
  • Pre-screened, capable, competitive sources for spare parts
  • Lower costs for equipment maintenance
  • Increased return on investment (ROI) for member companies

“Improving performance in the supply chain is vital to helping SEMATECH/ISMI members control and decrease the costs of spare parts and equipment service,” said Steve McGovern, SEMATECH’s Manager of Capital Acquisition and an SSC member. “The database will demonstrate continuous improvement in responding to the needs of semiconductor manufacturers in these areas.”

The SSC, comprised of representatives of SEMATECH and ISMI member companies, enhances learning by sharing common issues, concerns, common supply procurement problems, and best practices among its members.