Lam Research Villach

Supplying the world’s largest chip manufacturers

Over 800 people from 30 nations work at the Villach site of Lam Research an der Drau. Cleaning equipment for semiconductor production is developed and produced here. The company supplies the world's largest chip manufacturers.

(Bild: Lam Research)

The world's largest chip manufacturers rely on products that Lam Research has been developing and producing in Villach for over 30 years. Over 800 people from 30 nations find work here.

"Suction cups and cassette recorder motors were the preliminary stages of our first systems back then," recalls Walter Lerch, Site Manager of Lam Research Villach, of the first steps in Bad Bleiberg (then still under the name SEZ). "We then launched the first product in 1990." Two years later, 40 employees moved to Villach.

First Bad Bleiberg, then Villach
"Bad Bleiberg was our birthplace in 1986, but we matured and grew up in Villach," emphasizes Walter Lerch. And how! Over 800 employees from 30 nations manufacture high-tech products for the semiconductor industry in Draustadt. "We specialize in cleaning systems," explains Lerch. "We are really proud to supply the world's largest chip manufacturers from here." In chip production, dirt is produced during etching and lasering, which is removed by the Lam systems - precision is required.

At the celebration of a new expansion, the company was presented with the Villach coat of arms.

(Bild: Lam Research)

A genuine Carinthian product
"All the research, development and production takes place in Villach - these are genuine Carinthian products," emphasizes HR manager Claus Lachmann in an interview with the "Krone" newspaper. Together with top dog Infineon, Lam Research forms the core of Silicon Valley in Carinthia, but there are "conflicts" in one area. "When it comes to specialists in the fields of electrical engineering and mechatronics, we are real competitors. We're both always looking for people," smiles Lachmann.

Lam Research relies on apprentices
Lam therefore relies heavily on its own training. "Since the turn of the millennium, we have trained over 150 apprentices in our training workshop," says Walter Lerch proudly. "We work closely with technical colleges, universities of applied sciences and universities." The company and its employees are also socially committed, and the site runs 100 percent on sustainable energy. This has now been duly recognized with the award of the town coat of arms.