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AT&S wanted to do more than just host large family gatherings. For the first time in the company’s history, the Austrian technology leader invited the families and loved ones of its 15,000 employees at all global locations to immerse themselves in the high-tech world of microelectronics and experience the fascination of the latest technologies.
The event series kicked off on May 1 at the AT&S site in Nanjangud, India. After stops in Shanghai and Chongqing (both in China) and Kulim (Malaysia), the Family Days concluded in Leoben and, most recently, in July at AT&S Fehring. In total, more than 8,500 visitors got an up-close look at AT&S. The Family Day event as a whole was a resounding success.
There were plenty of highlights: At the opening in Kulim, for example, members of the Executive Board and Supervisory Board were present as special guests. At all locations, the festivities featured local traditions with dance and music, raffles, expert talks, culinary delights, and children’s activities. The AT&S mascots, Substrate-Suzy and PCBilly, were popular photo subjects. Technology became tangible, for example with the robot dog that the children chased after in Fehring, or with racing simulators, drone courses, and cleanroom suits in Leoben, which sparked curiosity in young and old alike.
People make the difference
Companies are not defined solely by technologies and processes, but above all by the people who contribute their knowledge, creativity, and dedication every day.
Each of the six Family Days strengthened the sense of community. Colleagues interacted outside the daily work routine, families got to know the people behind the names, and locations became places of connection. Significantly, the AT&S office in Hong Kong spontaneously joined the six AT&S production sites, where the team took the initiative to organize their own Family Day with great enthusiasm.
Respect, Appreciation, Cohesion
“When families, colleagues, and members of the Supervisory Board and Executive Board come together, connections are formed that build trust and strengthen our cohesion and team spirit,” says Gerald Reischl, who, as head of the Communications Department, provided the initial impetus for the first global AT&S Family Day.
Since last year, AT&S has had a new CEO, Michael Mertin, who not only fully supported the idea of Family Day but also embodies these values. “Our families are the backbone of our strength and the driving force behind all our creativity,” said Mertin. “It’s important to understand that we – all of us together – are one company.”
With its first global Family Day, AT&S sent a clear message: Innovation starts with people – and sustainable success grows where work, a sense of belonging, and community come together.
