February 9, 2025

In a serious win for the Dutch tech trade, chip large ASML intends to stay and additional broaden within the Netherlands.

The chip machine producer has signed a non-binding letter of intent with the Metropolis Council of Eindhoven, eyeing a possible enlargement on the Brainport Industries Campus (BIC), west of town.

Situated at Eindhoven’s Brainport area — a serious tech and innovation hub in Europe — BIC is devoted to the high-tech manufacturing trade. For ASML, BIC represents an “fascinating choice,” Roger Dassen, the corporate’s CFO, said in a press release. That’s due to the campus’ shut proximity to Veldhoven, the place the corporate is predicated.

The preliminary settlement appears to be allaying fears over ASML’s rumoured relocation overseas. Whereas the corporate has by no means confirmed or denied such a transfer was on the playing cards, it did elevate issues about expertise attraction challenges and the general enterprise local weather within the Netherlands.

“In the end, we will solely develop this firm if there are sufficient certified individuals,” Peter Wennink, ASML’s CEO, told RTL in January.

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“We desire to try this right here, but when we can not get these individuals right here, we’ll get these individuals in Jap Europe or in Asia or in the USA.”

A possible relocation would have a serious impression on the Dutch tech sector and economic system. ASML isn’t merely a world-leading provider of chip-making gear. It’s additionally the world’s sole producer of utmost ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines — that are wanted for probably the most superior chips.

As well as, the chip machine-maker is likely one of the largest employers and most worthwhile companies within the Netherlands, reaching a €27.6bn turnover in 2023.

In an try to preserve its tech crown jewel at dwelling, the Dutch authorities launched “Operation Beethoven” final month. The €2.5bn initiative goals to enhance infrastructure, housing, technical schooling, and expertise attraction — epsecially within the Eindhoven area.

All the above are key elements for accommodating ASML’s enlargement.

“Selections about future places of our firm should be supported by favorable circumstances, equivalent to the supply of expertise, infrastructure, housing and by a powerful funding local weather generally,” Roger Dassen, the corporate’s CFO, said in a press release.

“The not too long ago introduced authorities measures contribute to this.”

Nonetheless, the deal isn’t set in stone simply but. Discussions will proceed and a remaining determination from each events is predicted in June.

If the plan strikes ahead, ASML may double its present workforce within the Netherlands, which now stands at roughly 20,000 individuals.

Micky Andriaanses, Minister of Financial Affairs and Local weather, characterised the settlement as “excellent news.” “[It] confirms confidence in our enterprise local weather within the Netherlands and underlines the federal government’s assist for the chip sector,” the minister said on X.