Social topics

Our employees are united by a passion for technology, a strong corporate culture, and a commitment to our shared values. This is the basis for our success.

As employees of Comet, we are aware of our responsibility in a world with more and more people and limited resources. Qualified and committed employees are a key prerequisite for our past and future success. That is why we invest in a corporate culture based on customer orientation, challenge and empower, and trustful collaboration in everything we do.

Through our continuous efforts, we create value for our employees, our customers, and our stakeholders worldwide. Our employees benefit from progressive working conditions, a well-managed health and safety program and a culture based on trust. This creates the basis for above-average performance and thus a high level of customer satisfaction and loyalty, in many cases for years to come. Finally, we take our social responsibility seriously by supporting community projects and private-sector initiatives.

We recognize the critical importance of being an attractive employer in a rapidly evolving labor market environment. By creating a flexible, inclusive, and appealing workplace culture, we aim to attract and retain talented employees who contribute to innovation and productivity. Employer branding, talent development, and a strong corporate culture are central to the company’s strategy. Ensuring employee well-being and loyalty remains a top priority, reflected in initiatives that support engagement, career development, and transitions beyond working life.

Responsibilities for fostering an attractive and supportive workplace at Comet are clearly defined across different levels of the organization. The Human Resources team under the lead of the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) plays a central role by implementing policies to support recruitment, employee engagement, and smooth transitions, such as retirement. Management ensures that the corporate culture aligns with Comet’s values and strategic objectives, creating a cohesive framework for success. Leadership teams oversee key initiatives, including training programs, employee engagement efforts, and monitoring satisfaction to drive continuous improvement. At the team level, supervisors facilitate participation in these initiatives and implement measures to secure workplace satisfaction, ensuring alignment with overall company goals.

We support employees beyond their tenure. The Human Resources team assists with transitions, including retirement and other departures, ensuring employees feel valued and supported throughout their journey with the company.

We continuously monitor employee satisfaction and engagement through regular employee surveys and market benchmarking, providing us a clear understanding of workforce sentiment. Policies and regulations are evaluated on an ongoing basis to ensure they align with employee needs and support organizational objectives. Additionally, the company tracks participation in mandatory training courses and periodic refreshers to maintain high standards in areas such as safety, compliance, and professional development.

Our comprehensive approach to attracting, retaining, and developing talent ensures a resilient, motivated workforce capable of driving our long-term success.

In the reporting year, we expanded our workforce at all levels to successfully navigate the semiconductor industry’s upswing and implement our growth strategy. This expansion took place across all regions, including both permanent and temporary employees, while also strengthening our R&D capabilities.

Additionally, employee turnover rates declined, while the number of new hires increased, reflecting a more stable business environment and the positive momentum within our end markets, mainly in the semiconductor industry.

At Comet, protecting the health and safety of our employees is fundamental to both their well-being and the company’s success. Operating in the high-tech semiconductor value chain, we depend on highly skilled specialists in production, sales, product management, and R&D. We do our utmost to prevent occupational and other accidents. The use of lasers and chemicals as well as the emission of ionizing radiation in our manufacturing processes require appropriate measures to protect our employees from exposure to these potential hazards. In addition to these legal requirements, we also have an ethical and moral obligation. As well, illness and accidents pose significant operational challenges, as replacing these experts on short notice is difficult. Therefore, reducing downtime and promoting knowledge-sharing are key aspects of our strategy to safeguard the company’s success.

Ensuring the health and safety of employees and service providers is a top priority in our operations. Our Quality, Environmental, and Health & Safety Policy provides the foundation for occupational safety, applying globally to all employees, including external and temporary workers. Our management system enforces compliance with health and safety standards across all sites, ensuring that workplace safety is actively practiced, documented, and continuously improved.

Health and safety measures are tailored to the size of each unit and its specific risks. Compliance with local laws and regulations is mandatory, such as Germany’s Occupational Health and Safety Act (“Arbeitsschutzgesetz”), the German Social Accident Insurance system (“Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung”), and, in Switzerland, the ten points of the Federal Coordination Commission for Occupational Safety (“Eidgenössische Koordinationskommission für Arbeitssicherheit”, or EKAS). Country general managers ensure adherence to regulations, while division country managers oversee implementation.

Leadership at all levels plays a crucial role in enforcing preventive measures and fostering a strong safety culture. We monitor health and safety objectives through continuous process tracking, regular effectiveness reviews, and annual audits based on location and risk exposure. Policies and guidelines are regularly reviewed and updated to align with current regulations and evolving industry standards, ensuring an effective and proactive health and safety management system.

The well-being of employees and customers is important to our management. The company’s organizational units and all employees are responsible for safety and health at work. We are committed to complying with the appropriate laws and safety standards and conduct annual audits, depending on location and exposure. In addition, we report deficiencies or violations immediately so that they can be remedied as quickly as possible or avoided in the future, and we strive for improvements in safety at work. Preventive measures are essential for us. Occupational health and safety are regularly addressed in training or development. Each employee should feel physically and mentally fit at work and in the work environment.

As further measures to prevent accidents inside and outside the company, information and health tips are regularly posted on the social intranet, on subjects like sports, tripping, falls and – as the underappreciated number-one setting for accidents – doing housework. The achievement of and improvement in occupational health and safety objectives is ensured by continuous process monitoring and review of the effectiveness of these processes. Policies and guidelines are reviewed at regular intervals to ensure that the management system is up to date and effective. If necessary, they are amended. Such reviews are also, and especially, triggered by changes in customer requirements.

By embedding proactive health and safety management into our operations, we not only fulfill our ethical obligations but also ensure operational resilience, enabling long-term economic success in a dynamic and demanding industry.

Reflecting the deeply entrenched awareness of occupational health and safety in our Group, we had no fatalities in our factories in the reporting year.

In 2024, workplace injuries saw a slight decrease, reflecting our continued commitment to safety and risk prevention. While lost working days increased, they did so from a very low baseline, underscoring the effectiveness of our measures in mitigating incidents. Notably, the number of working days lost due to illness declined, with significant improvements observed in Switzerland and China.

We are dedicated to maintaining a supply chain that aligns with product performance standards and adheres to ethical and sustainable practices. A cornerstone of this commitment is our Supplier Code of Conduct (Supplier CoC) based on the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) Code of Conduct. The Supplier CoC includes, among other topics, compliance with the law, the prohibition of corruption and bribery, respect for workers’ fundamental human rights, and the prohibition of child labor. The Supplier CoC was revised and implemented in the reporting year.

Suppliers agree to uphold the principles of the Supplier CoC by signing the document, which is periodically updated to reflect changes in compliance policies. Suppliers are also obligated to notify us of any known or suspected violations.

The purchasing department is responsible for the evaluation of new suppliers and assesses the performance of existing suppliers to ensure alignment with our ethical and sustainability standards, as described in the Comet Quality Management System (CQMS). Supplier compliance is verified through audits, on-site inspections, and document reviews, conducted by Comet, its subsidiaries, or designated agents. Monitoring efforts focus on minimizing risks, safeguarding our reputation, and upholding social and environmental principles.

If violations are identified, Comet follows the corrective action procedures defined under the ISO 9001 standard. This includes working collaboratively with suppliers to resolve issues. Persistent noncompliance, however, may result in the termination of the business relationship or legal action, subject to applicable laws.

Comet prioritizes long-term partnerships with reliable suppliers who share our commitment to equal opportunity, prevention of worker mistreatment, and stringent environmental standards. Through regular evaluations and proactive initiatives, we strive to uphold these values throughout our supply chain.

To reinforce accountability, suppliers agree to allow compliance verification through audits, facility inspections, or the review of books and records. This ensures confidence in adherence to the Supplier CoC and supports our goal of fostering an ethical, sustainable, and transparent supply chain.

We recognize that respecting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is not only a social responsibility but also vital for business success. Our Code of Conduct and equal opportunity employer policy explicitly prohibit discrimination based on nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic. These policies mandate fair treatment and equal opportunity in all aspects of employment, creating a workplace where all employees feel valued and supported. An updated version of the Code of Conduct was rolled out in 2024, accompanied by mandatory training for all employees.

The commitment to DEI is upheld by all employees, with leadership playing a crucial role in fostering an inclusive culture. Managers are responsible for ensuring fair hiring practices and compliance with DEI policies. The HR department oversees training, reporting, and audits to continuously enhance DEI initiatives.

The EU chip sector is undermined by a lack of skilled labor. This shortage is currently being addressed by initiatives such as the Pact for Skills for microelectronics launched by the European Commission, jointly with SEMI Europe. Nonetheless, a shortcoming lies in the fact that the EU chip sector is still considerably male-dominated. Enhanced diversity, equity and inclusion across education, training and industry will empower the “missing talent” to actively participate in the forthcoming acceleration of the EU chips sector. As part of the European Chips Diversity Alliance (ECDA) project, Comet is committed to closing this talent gap with impactful actions.

To ensure accountability, we conduct regular internal audits, employee surveys, and external reviews. These efforts track compliance with DEI standards and identify areas for improvement. No incidents of discrimination were reported in the year under review.

Our focus on DEI has led to measurable benefits, including enhanced employee satisfaction, higher retention rates, and strengthened innovation. Our efforts contribute to business growth, improved customer and employee satisfaction, and greater competitiveness. While the maintenance audit affirmed the progress made, we remain committed to further advancing DEI to unlock our full potential as a global organization.

We recognize that stakeholders expect the company to go beyond economic interests and make positive societal contributions. Social engagement, whether through community projects, environmental initiatives, or local partnerships, is an essential part of our responsibility and integrity. While the double materiality analysis indicates that social commitment is important but not central to management and stakeholders, it remains a critical factor for maintaining our social license to operate, long-term success, and legitimacy.

Our policy emphasizes fostering enthusiasm for technology among the next generation, driven by our conviction that technology enhances education and that fair access to education improves technological progress for sustainable development, safety, and quality of life.

We demonstrate our dedication to social responsibility through initiatives that promote education, community engagement, and technology-focused activities. These efforts reflect our mission to inspire the next generation and support community well-being. At the Group level, we invest in fostering young talent and enthusiasm for science and technology by providing comprehensive training programs for trainees, interns, and young professionals. These programs equip next-generation experts and leaders with essential skills, preparing them to become future skilled workers.

Our support for institutions like the Technorama science center in Winterthur, Switzerland, further emphasizes our commitment to education. By sponsoring Technorama, we help young minds explore the world of science, igniting curiosity and creativity. Additionally, interactive learning events such as Future Day at the Flamatt site offer young people a hands-on opportunity to experiment with technology, giving them a deeper understanding of its possibilities.

Our regional teams and employees actively contribute to community-focused initiatives, reflecting the company’s values and commitment to societal impact. Key activities include participation in charity events like the Annual Joy Drive of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Silicon Valley; the Lam Research Heart & Soles Run in the USA, where proceeds support educational and charitable programs; and a partnership with the Family Giving Tree, a charitable organization committed to serving children and individuals most in need throughout California’s Bay Area. In the aftermath of the January 1 earthquake on Japan’s Noto Peninsula, our team in Japan provided school supplies, educational resources, and safe spaces for children affected by these challenging circumstances.

Additionally, we hosted youth technology events in 2024 in Hamburg, Penang, and Shanghai, offering hands-on experiences with innovative technologies. These activities aim to inspire the next generation of technologists and foster enthusiasm for science and engineering.

Through these efforts, we underscore our dedication to education and community development, strengthening our reputation as a socially responsible organization that creates lasting positive impacts.