GETTING TO KNOW US
Mr. Yuval Kariv
Integration Director, Transfer Optimization and development Process Services (TOPs) Business Unit, Assigned to TPSCo
Yuval Kariv joined TowerJazz in 1999 as a process engineering student working with the diffusion/implant team in Migdal Haemek, Israel (Fab1). He has held process engineering, R&D process/integration and section head positions prior to his assignment to TPSCo.
Q: Please tell us about your position, focus areas, etc.
A: I’ve been assigned to TowerJazz Japan/TPSCo since January 2013 as General Manager of the Related Device Technology team, managing the TOPS product line technology transfer activities into the TPSCo fabs. My team consists of project managers and integrators, and works very closely with the sales, customer support, fab process engineering and operation teams.
Our projects are running at the Tonami and Arai facilities, and we are looking forward to starting new projects in Uozu (300mm) as well.
We are focusing on maximizing manufacturing volumes and revenue while keeping our customers satisfied throughout the whole transfer process into the mass production phase.
Q: What do you enjoy about your position and what challenges you?
A: In a nutshell, it’s never boring. I’m standing on the front line interfacing with the customers, from first engagement to process transfer, qualification, and ramping to mass production.
I enjoy working with various customers from the US, Europe and the Far East — each with a different process, mode of work, mentality, and culture. Obviously, this position requires working in three time zones, which makes it challenging. In addition to this, working in Japan is challenging in many aspects such as the culture and language gap as well as the different ways of analyzing situations.
I have found that TPSCo employees are professional, experienced and friendly people with a wide background of knowledge from their IDM Panasonic past. It is a real pleasure working with such dedicated people.
Q: What is your focus this year from a business standpoint?
A: I help to achieve the company’s revenues and goals, by efficient and accurate transfers and successful ramps to production. We are continuously working to improve customer satisfaction while ramping rapidly to high volume production.
Q: What are some of your hobbies?
A: I enjoy running, it’s a very good way to have some quality thinking time, without cell phones or emails. I like nature, and enjoy outdoor activities such as cycling and hiking.
Q: What is your favorite travel destination?
A: This is a difficult question. Living in the Far East gives me the opportunity to visit exotic places.
New Zealand is my favorite, but Angkor Wat (Cambodia) is a close second, and many years ago I visited Myanmar (also known as Burma), which is unforgettable. Tourist destinations in Japan are very enjoyable too.