ASM's Taiwanese subsidiary held an opening ceremony for its new office in Hsinchu, following similar moves by other global semiconductor equipment and materials suppliers including Fujifilm Electronics Materials Taiwan and Tokyo Electron. This cluster of upstream suppliers establishing their presence near Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) highlights the region's growing importance in the semiconductor supply chain.
Strategic expansion
Hichem M'Saad, CEO of ASM, emphasized Taiwan's critical role in the company's business strategy, citing the nation's position as a central hub in the global semiconductor industry. As ASM approaches its 19th year of operations in Taiwan, the company is strengthening its presence by relocating its office near the Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR) Hsinchu Station and preparing to open a new office in Kaohsiung. These strategic moves reflect ASM's commitment to increasing investment and supporting Taiwan's semiconductor industry growth.
Technical support and innovation
The Dutch semiconductor equipment supplier, specializing in atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology, plays a crucial role in advanced semiconductor manufacturing processes. Beyond relocating its Hsinchu headquarters office near the Zhubei High-Speed Rail station, ASM plans to establish its Kaohsiung location in November 2024 to enhance customer technical support and services.
Talent development focus
Steve Lu, general manager of ASM Taiwan, emphasized the importance of talent in driving semiconductor industry innovation. The company projects double-digit annual growth in employee recruitment over the next three years. Its training center, established in 2023 at the Southern Taiwan Science Park, has emerged as a key training hub for the Asia-Pacific region, providing thousands of course hours annually. The facility is expected to train approximately 300 engineers by the end of 2025.
Founded in 1968, ASM currently maintains 15 locations across the US, Europe, and Asia. In Taiwan alone, the company operates offices in Hsinchu, Taichung, Linkou, and Tainan, with its training center in the Southern Taiwan Science Park and the upcoming Kaohsiung office set to open in 2024.
