29 June 2007
Europe’s semiconductor industry has honoured the lifetime achievements of Dr Drew Nelson, President and CEO of global semiconductor company IQE plc and Chairman of the Welsh Electronics Forum.
He received a prestigious lifetime achievement award at one of the most important events in the calendar for Europe’s semiconductor industry, which relocated from Edinburgh to Cardiff this year in recognition of the growth of the industry in Wales.
After seven years in the Scottish capital, S2K took place at The National Museum & Galleries Wales. The Welsh technology and semiconductor industry employs almost 27,000 people and comprises more than 500 companies. Conference organiser, the UK-wide Joint Equipment and Materials Initiative (JEMI) was supported by the Welsh Electronic Forum and Welsh Assembly Government, which is now working to ensure the event returns to Wales next year.
S2K drew representatives from Europe’s leading semiconductor, optoelectronics and compound semiconductor companies, most of whom are chief executive officers, managing directors, technical managers and sales and marketing managers.
S2K Chairman Mike Smyth said the Cardiff event was a huge success. "For a Cardiff-based industry leader to have collected the top award at the event was an added bonus," he said. "Dr Drew Nelson has made a huge impact on the industry, not only via his own companies but through his dedicated support for the Welsh Electronics Forum."
Dr Chris Young, Chief Executive of the Welsh Electronics Forum, added, "The event was tremendous recognition of the progress made in Wales. Drew thoroughly deserved his personal honour because he has been a fantastic supporter of the Forum for many years."
The Forum acts on behalf of the industry and encourages innovation and increased competitiveness within the technology industry in Wales. Promoting worldwide confidence in electronics, semiconductors and software, the Forum reflects the progressive and vibrant nature of Wales’ most exciting industry.
Contacts:
IQE plc
+44 (0)29 2083 9400
Drew Nelson
Phil Rasmussen
Chris Meadows
College Hill
+44 (0)20 7457 2020
Adrian Duffield
Jon Davies
Noble and Company
+ 44 (0) 20 7763 2200
John Llewellyn-Lloyd
Sam Reynolds
NOTE TO EDITORS
IQE is the leading global supplier of advanced semiconductor wafers with products that cover a diverse range of applications, supported by an innovative outsourced foundry services portfolio that allows the Group to provide a 'one stop shop' for the wafer needs of the world's leading semiconductor manufacturers.
IQE uses advanced crystal growth technology (epitaxy) to manufacture and supply bespoke semiconductor wafers ('epi-wafers') to the major chip manufacturing companies, who then use these wafers to make the chips which form the key components of virtually all high technology systems. IQE is unique in being able to supply wafers using all of the leading crystal growth technology platforms.
IQE's products are found in many leading-edge consumer, communication, computing and industrial applications, including a complete range of wafer products for the wireless industry, such as mobile handsets and wireless infrastructure, Wi-Fi, WiMAX, base stations, GPS, and satellite communications; optical communications, optical storage (CD, DVD), laser optical mouse, laser printers & photocopiers, thermal imagers, leading-edge medical products, barcode, high efficiency LEDs and a variety of advanced silicon based systems.
The manufacturers of these chips are increasingly seeking to source wafers from specialist foundries such as IQE in order to reduce overall wafer costs and accelerate time to market.
IQE also provides bespoke R&D services to deliver customised materials for specific applications and offers specialist technical staff to manufacture to specification either at its own facilities or on the customer's own sites. The Group is also able to leverage its global purchasing volumes to reduce the cost of raw materials. In this way IQE's supply services, provide compelling benefits in terms of flexibility and predictability of cost, thereby significantly reducing operating risk.
IQE operates six manufacturing facilities located in Cardiff (two) and Milton Keynes in the UK; in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and Somerset, New Jersey in the USA; and Singapore. The Group also has 11 sales offices located in major economic centres worldwide.