Ichor Holdings Appoints Phil Barros as CEO to Lead Next Phase of Growth and Innovation
Ichor Holdings, Ltd. , a global leader in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of advanced fluid delivery subsystems and critical components for semiconductor capital equipment, has announced a major leadership transition. The company’s Board of Directors has unanimously approved a succession plan that appoints longtime executive and Chief Technical Officer (CTO) Phil Barros as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. Along with his new role, Barros will also join Ichor’s Board of Directors, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing evolution and strategic growth journey.
A Proven Leader with Two Decades of Experience at Ichor
Phil Barros’s appointment follows an impressive 20-year tenure at Ichor, during which he has demonstrated exceptional technical expertise, strategic vision, and leadership across multiple aspects of the business. Over the years, Barros has served in a series of increasingly senior roles—ranging from engineering and product management to corporate development and strategic leadership—each time contributing meaningfully to the company’s success.
Since 2015, Barros has served as Ichor’s Chief Technical Officer, playing a central role in shaping the company’s innovation roadmap and technical strategy. Under his leadership, Ichor expanded its proprietary product portfolio, developing a comprehensive suite of valves, fittings, and substrate components that are now either qualified or in the final qualification stages with several of the world’s leading semiconductor equipment manufacturers. These proprietary offerings have been key in strengthening Ichor’s reputation as a high-value partner in the semiconductor ecosystem.
Before his appointment as CTO, Barros was Senior Vice President of Engineering from 2010 to 2015, where he built and led Ichor’s engineering organization through a period of accelerated growth. His ability to combine engineering excellence with customer-focused innovation has been central to Ichor’s rise as a critical supplier to major semiconductor OEMs (original equipment manufacturers).
Earlier in his career, Barros held pivotal roles in the semiconductor industry, including serving as Director of Systems Engineering at Celerity, a predecessor company to Ichor. He also worked at Applied Materials, Inc., one of the industry’s largest and most influential semiconductor equipment manufacturers, where he was an engineering project manager. This blend of experiences across engineering, product development, and customer engagement has given him a uniquely holistic understanding of both the technical and commercial dimensions of Ichor’s business.
Barros earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from San Jose State University, further complementing his technical foundation with executive education programs at Stanford University and the University of California, Berkeley. Over the course of his career, he has been granted multiple patents, reflecting his hands-on involvement in developing cutting-edge technologies that power Ichor’s competitive edge.
Board of Directors Expresses Confidence in Barros’s Leadership
Announcing the appointment, Iain MacKenzie, Chairman of Ichor’s Board of Directors, praised Barros’s deep technical expertise and his proven ability to translate innovation into commercial success.
“Phil has been instrumental in developing our technology roadmap in close partnership with our leading customers, creating innovative and proprietary products that drive customer value,” said MacKenzie. “We are confident that he is the right person to drive Ichor to the next level.”
MacKenzie added that the Board’s decision came after a comprehensive succession planning process that included consideration of both internal and external candidates. The Board concluded that Barros’s extensive experience, familiarity with Ichor’s technology and customers, and forward-looking vision positioned him as the ideal leader for the company’s next chapter.
“The leadership transition we are announcing today represents the culmination of a thoughtful process led by our Board over the past several months,” MacKenzie continued. “With Ichor’s product development strategy fundamental to the company’s future revenue growth and profitability objectives, Phil’s deep knowledge of our business and his vision for the future will help drive Ichor’s continued success.”
A Vision for the Future: Innovation and Growth
In his first statement as CEO, Barros expressed gratitude to the Board and enthusiasm about leading Ichor into a new era of growth and innovation.
“I am honored to have been chosen by the Board of Directors to lead Ichor into the next exciting phase of growth for our company,” said Barros. “Ichor’s evolution from a value-added manufacturing partner to a leading provider of critical and proprietary components that address complex fluid delivery requirements for our customers is just beginning to take shape.”
Barros emphasized that his immediate focus will be on strengthening Ichor’s technology leadership, expanding customer relationships, and driving profitable growth through innovation.
“I look forward to working with our entire executive team and our talented employees to drive growth and increased profitability for Ichor as we execute on our vision for technology leadership,” he said.
Ichor’s Strategic Position in the Semiconductor Industry
Ichor Holdings has earned its reputation as one of the most trusted partners in the semiconductor manufacturing supply chain, delivering mission-critical subsystems that enable the production of next-generation semiconductor devices. The company specializes in fluid delivery systems, gas and chemical delivery components, and related subsystems that are essential for the operation of complex semiconductor equipment used in processes such as etching, deposition, and cleaning.
The semiconductor industry is currently in the midst of a major transformation, driven by the rise of artificial intelligence, advanced computing, and the rapid adoption of new chip architectures. As semiconductor manufacturers invest in more sophisticated equipment to meet global demand, suppliers like Ichor play a pivotal role in ensuring performance, reliability, and scalability.
Under Barros’s technical guidance as CTO, Ichor has expanded its proprietary technology portfolio, increased operational efficiency, and built stronger collaborative relationships with key OEM customers. His appointment as CEO signals Ichor’s continued commitment to innovation-driven growth, with a focus on developing high-margin, differentiated products that enhance the company’s competitiveness.
Building on a Legacy of Innovation
Throughout his career, Barros has demonstrated a unique ability to bridge the gap between engineering innovation and strategic business execution. His leadership approach is grounded in collaboration, customer partnership, and a deep understanding of the technical challenges facing the semiconductor industry.
By emphasizing continuous innovation and customer-centric design, Barros aims to position Ichor at the forefront of emerging opportunities in semiconductor equipment technology. This includes expanding Ichor’s portfolio of proprietary fluid control systems, advancing automation and process control solutions, and exploring new materials and technologies that can improve the performance and sustainability of semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
As Ichor transitions to new leadership, the company appears well-positioned for long-term success. Barros’s promotion reflects not only his personal accomplishments but also Ichor’s broader strategy of cultivating leadership talent from within. His blend of technical expertise, strategic insight, and industry experience makes him uniquely suited to guide the company through its next stage of growth.
The semiconductor industry’s future will be defined by rapid technological evolution and an increasing need for precision-engineered systems—areas where Ichor has long excelled. Under Barros’s leadership, the company is expected to continue expanding its global footprint, deepening customer relationships, and delivering innovations that help enable the next generation of semiconductor manufacturing.
As the company’s new CEO, Phil Barros now takes the helm of an organization with a strong foundation, a clear strategic direction, and a deep commitment to excellence. His leadership promises to bring renewed focus to Ichor’s mission: to enable the world’s most advanced semiconductor technologies through innovation, precision, and partnership.
