News Article
SEMI Appoints COO of centrotherm to European Advisory Board
With over 20 years of experience in the semiconductor and photovoltaic equipment sectors, Dirk Stenkamp hopes to advance cost-efficient, prompt and high-volume production and provision of new product generations. He also hopes to strengthen Europe’s position as a globally leading region for high-end and high-quality equipment.
Dirk Stenkamp, Member of the Board and Chief Operating Officer of centrotherm photovoltaics AG was appointed to the SEMI European Advisory Board in early January 2011.
Centrotherm photovoltaics is a leading supplier of key equipment and production lines for the production of crystalline and thin-film solar cells. SEMI (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International) is the largest international trade association of companies along the supply chain for electronic goods. Centrotherm has been actively involved with SEMI Europe for many years, and became a member of the organization in 2002.
"This appointment represents both a high distinction and, at the same time, an incentive for me," stated Stenkamp. "I am looking forward to contributing my experience and knowledge from the semiconductor and photovoltaic equipment sector to the association's work. One of my central concerns in this context is the cost-efficient, prompt and high-volume production and provision of new product generations that benefit all of our global customers." In the equipment sector this also entails the combination of the terms "time to market" and "volume to market".
Further topics for the newly appointed board member concern the strengthening of Europe as a globally leading region for high-end and high-quality equipment, the securing of increasingly scarce raw materials, as well as the securing of highly qualified personnel for the sector.
The question "How can photovoltaics benefit from semiconductor technology, and vice versa," concerns Stenkamp as COO of centrotherm photovoltaics AG, which operates in both areas. The Semiconductor & Microelectronics division of centrotherm photovoltaics is to be further expanded over the next few years.
"We are pleased that, with Dr. Stenkamp, we have gained an additional recognized expert and leader for our SEMI European Advisory Board. We look forward to his strategic guidance, and share his industry insights and represent the collective interests of our members towards sustainable growth and profitability," commented Heinz Kundert, president of SEMI Europe.
Stenkamp,holds a degree in physics, and a Ph.D. in semiconductor physics. He has more than 20 years of experience in the semiconductor and photovoltaic sector. Prior to joining centrotherm photovoltaics, Stenkamp had been a member of the management of various Carl Zeiss Group companies since the year 2000. Carl Zeiss Group is a leading supplier of production equipment for the semiconductor industry.
