Applied Materials Letter to Gov. Bullock from ChamberFrom:Joe Unterreiner
To:Kalispell City Council
Subject:[EXTERNAL] FW: Applied Materials Letter to Gov. Bullock
Date:Friday, March 20, 2020 2:52:23 PM
Attachments:Applied Materials.Governor Bullock.pdf
Mayor and Member of City Council: I'd like you to be aware of a letter I forwarded to the Governor on behalf of the
CEO of Applied Materials. Applied is concerned with the potential of shelter-in-place directives and their unevenapplication across the country. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions - Joe U
-----Original Message-----From: Joe UnterreinerSent: Friday, March 20, 2020 10:33 AMTo: Bullock, Governor <governor@mt.gov>Cc: abovingdon@mt.gov; John_Kania@amat.com; Mark Baker (markbaker@abslegal.net)<markbaker@abslegal.net>Subject: Applied Materials Letter to Gov. Bullock
Governor Bullock:
I wanted to be sure you saw this letter from the CEO of Applied Materials and his request to exclude their KalispellBusiness Unit from any shelter-in-place directives (attached).
Applied Materials is a critical part of our economy and is a leader in the community for assisting businesses in best-practices for managing COVID-19 in the work-place.
Thank you for your leadership on this COVID-19 pandemic. Your communications and web site have been usefulto our 725 member businesses here in Northwest Montana.
Kind regards,Joe Unterreiner, President and CEOKalispell Chamber of CommerceConvention & Visitor Bureau15 Depot Park | Kalispell, MT 59901(P) 406-758-2804 (C) 406-249-2046joe@kalispellchamber.com@JoeUnterreiner
The Honorable Steve Bullock
Governor of Montana
Helena, MT 59620
Dear Governor Bullock:
Thank you for your leadership as you respond to the rapidly developing COVID-19 crisis in
Montana. I am writing to ask that as the crisis evolves, if it is necessary for you and local leaders
to implement “shelter-in-place” orders, that the semiconductor manufacturing industry be
considered an “essential industry” and take measures that will allow Applied Materials to continue
our manufacturing operations at our Kalispell, MT facility. Our manufacturing operations take
place in an advanced “clean environment” and multiple areas have advanced micro-
contamination control, workers are wearing personal protective equipment including gloves,
protective eyewear and clean room smocks. Facemasks are also worn in many work areas and
are available to all employees. We believe it is possible to safely operate these essential
manufacturing operations without increasing risks to public safety.
Semiconductors are the critical technology in all electronic products vital to healthcare
professionals and first responders that are at the front lines fighting to keep Montanans and
people all around the world safe. The tools we manufacture in Kalispell build the semiconductors
that control critical medical equipment and infrastructure systems needed to fight the spread of
the virus. In fact, semiconductors are a key enabling technology for digital communications
allowing millions of people to work from home and help “flatten the curve”.
Semiconductor technology is the foundational technology driving all sectors of our economy
including, agriculture, energy, finance, retail, services, and manufacturing. It is critical that Applied
Materials be able to continue essential manufacturing operations to keep our economy strong in
these uncertain times. Notably, as this health crisis has spread around the world, the
semiconductor industry and its supply chain have been allowed to continue manufacturing
operations across Asia – including in China. It is important that we maintain our competitive
advantage against foreign competition in this critical industry.
Make no mistake, the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees is paramount. Today, all
non-essential employees in Kalispell are working from home and we are following all Montana
and CDC recommendations for handwashing, sanitizing our facilities, separating our essential
employees and maintaining social distancing.
I realize the enormous task facing you and Montana’s leaders as you respond to this global
pandemic and we appreciate your leadership in these uncertain times. I appreciate your
consideration of my request and Applied Materials stands ready to help anyway we can. If you
have questions, please contact Joe Pon, Vice President, Communications, Public Affairs, and
Workplace at (408) 748-5508 or joe_pon@amat.com.
Sincerely,
Gary E. Dickerson
President and Chief Executive Officer