We are experts in critical systems engineering and manufacturing: Ichor Systems

It’s a fact. Sooner or later something will go wrong at your plant. Are you prepared for the downtime it will bring? Or eventually, you’ll need to upgrade your equipment to increase productivity. Do you want to redirect key personnel from their day to day responsibilities to focus on a one time project? That decision alone might increase the chances of something unplanned going wrong. It’s a catch-22: Somehow you’ve got to keep everything running and figure out how to increase production without putting a monkey wrench into that well-oiled line. This is why you need a mechanical services contractor as your partner. In an increasingly competitive world, the Mechanical Service Contractors presents an opportunity to establish the company as a stand-out contractor ensures you remain well ahead of the competition.

Ichor Systems is the trustworthy vendor which served its customers by performing mechanical contracting services. This eventually evolved into providing more and more capabilities to provide more complete solutions to its customers including weldments, gas panel assembly and chemical modules. In the early 2000’s, it began expanding its manufacturing footprint into Malaysia and Singapore to support the growing global presence of its customers. By the late 2000’s the firm had begun supporting the global LED business and once again expanded its footprint in North America.

Recently, it acquired a plastics machining company to support the growing chemical delivery needs of its customers as well as acquisitions to expand its weldment and precision machining capabilities. These acquisitions will allow the company us to support its key customers as well as help it gain entry into new markets.

We conversed with Thomas M. Rohrs, CEO for thorough understanding of the company

What is the current market scenario?

We are one of a few fluid systems provider to the major process capital equipment suppliers to the semiconductor industry. And what is your company’s position in the market? We are a leading provider and our name is well recognized as the premier engineering and design provider of fluid delivery systems to our customers.

What is your company’s vision statement and modus operandi?

It is our mission to provide fluid delivery expertise across all critical areas of semiconductor manufacturing through strong engineering design and manufacturing. We currently do not have a formal vision statement, but it is our strategy to continue to expand through organic and inorganic growth to create a larger revenue stream and optimize its operations while adding more and more capability to make our customers more successful.

We have been very successful in providing our expertise (increased penetrations across all platforms), growing organically and through acquisitions (37% CAGR) and continuously improving our operations (reducing OPEX 13.2% to 10.2% from 2014-2016).

What was your initial product release?

Our first product was mechanical engineering design services to help our customers improve the gas flow into their semiconductor process equipment reaction chambers.

How are you distinctive from your competitors?

We provide engineering services that set us apart from our competition and allow us to provide more value in the fluid systems we manufacture. We have very strong engineering design services and bring unmatched operational experience to make our customers successful.

Do you have any products ready for release?

Yes. We are continually looking for ways to improve function and reduce costs by the use of the latest technologies applied to our design for new and potential products in gas and liquid delivery systems.

What do you feel are the reasons behind.

• Your product popularity: We know that our customers appreciate the quality manufacturing we provide and our superior design engineering capability

• Your consistent growth as an organization: We have grown with the market and adapted to change along with our customers. Our level of collaboration has been the single most important factor in us being able to move alongside them and maneuver through semiconductor demand cycles

What are the factors/elements that make your company ‘One Of The Best Tech Companies’?

1) We are a key player in the semiconductor supply chain. 2) We are very strong in our technical capabilities to solve difficult fluid delivery problems. 3)  We know how to deliver those solutions to our customers. 4) We have a talented global workforce that is loyal to helping our customers be successful. 5) We have a forward-thinking executive team that encourages and supports our employees to deliver the best we have to offer.

Where do you see you and your company a couple of years from now?

Our vision is to continue to expand through organic and inorganic growth, so the market should expect to see a larger revenue Ichor continuing to lean itself down and optimizing its operations while adding more and more capability.

Meet the genius

Thomas M. Rohrs has served as Executive Chairman and director of Ichor since February 2012 and as Chief Executive Officer since September 2014. Prior to serving at Ichor, Mr. Rohrs served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Skyline Solar from 2010 to 2012 and Electroglas from 2006 to 2009. Mr. Rohrs also served as Senior Vice President of Global Operations and a member of the Executive Committee for Applied Materials from 1997 to 2002 and as Vice President of Worldwide Operations for Silicon Graphics from 1992 to 1997. 

“We are an experienced leader in the critical subsystems and turnkey process equipment marketplace.”

"We are a preferred choice for semiconductor capital equipment engineering and parts."