Questions and Answers about the Fab Owners Association (FOA) Section
What is Fab Owners Association (FOA) trying to accomplish? By bringing together multiple wafer fabrication manufactures, device makers, in a non-competitive, cooperative environment, we can identify common semiconductor manufacturing issues and jointly propose cost effective solutions. Our vision: “We are an international, nonprofit, mutual-benefit corporation of semiconductor fab owners and associates who meet regularly to discuss and act on common manufacturing issues, combining strengths and resources to become more competitive.” We also have a large number of Associate Member Companies comprised of Service Providers to our industry. Our Associate Members are key to our associations success. They are the suppliers to the semiconductor industry representing the latest information, products, and practices that provide substantial efficiencies for our device maker members.
What is the FOA value proposition? We are a collaborative of Fab Owners who see our Fabs as the crown jewel in our companies' competitive strategy. We believe operating our manufacturing facilities provides superior value for our customers.
What is the purpose of the FOA?Our purpose, in conjunction with the vision and value proposition, is for the Association to facilitate and provide solutions on issues related to the semiconductor manufacturing industry that the members feel are more effectively or efficiently undertaken as an industry association than as individual companies.
How are you organized?The Fab Owners Association is a mutual benefit corporation of member companies who manufacture Silicon based integrated circuits and Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS). We are international in scope. We are not for profit. Voting Membership in the Fab Owners Association is open to all semiconductor companies involved in manufacturing Silicon based integrated circuits and Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS).
Where do you meet and how often do you get together?Ideally, we rotate the full membership meetings between member company manufacturing sites, with the July meeting held in the Silicon Valley area of California. Meetings with all members of the Association shall be held on an as needed basis. Usually once a quarter. Periodically we meet outside the U.S.A. In late 2006 we met in Dresden, Germany.
What is your functional structure?The Managing Board Members, and Officers, comprised of industry veterans, constitute our Executive Committee. This body manages the Association in accordance with our bylaws.
What categories of members do you have?
- Voting MembershipAll semiconductor and MEMS companies with an interest and means to manufacture such devices are eligible for membership. If a company subsidiary or business unit maintains a separate FOA membership, it may also be a separate member of the Association.
- Associate Memberships
There are several subcategories that fall into the Associate membership category including:
- Associate Membership – Suppliers to the semiconductor manufacturing industry.
- Service Partner Membership - Service Partner is defined as any company doing business with a semiconductor company that is not a semiconductor company itself. Some examples of the types of companies that qualify as service partner members are Consulting / Research Firms, Law Firms, or Executive Search Firms
- Venture Capital / Investment Bank Membership - This membership category is available to Venture Capital Companies and Investment Banks.
- Organizations/Associations/Government and Educational Institutional Membership - This membership category is available to organizations, associations, government and educational institutes.
- Subsidiary Membership - Parent and subsidiary would be listed individually as members. Subsidiary would pay dues that are 50% of the parent company’s dues. Please contact L.T. Guttadauro, FOA Executive Director lt@waferfabs.org to determine eligibility.
- Individual Membership This membership category is reserved for independent consultants and retired members of the semiconductor industry.
What is the annual cost of membership? Membership dues, for voting members, is the annual budget divided by the member of active member companies. Budget approval is voted on during the first meeting of each calendar year. Membership dues for associates and individuals vary, but are very reasonable.
Please contact support@waferfabs.org for additional information or visit the membership section of this website.
