Netherlands' ASML plans to onboard 1,000 employees as client demand surges
Taipei, May 26
Netherlands-based semiconductor equipment supplier ASML Holding N.V. announced its plans to hire an additional 1,000 employees in Taiwan this year. The company upgraded its recruitment targets significantly to meet the growing demand from its clients, according to a news report by Focus Taiwan.
The original strategy for the year underwent a substantial revision to accommodate the rapid market expansion.
"ASML had previously planned to recruit 600 this year but that the plan had been adjusted upward," Grace Wang, ASML vice president and ASML Taiwan general manager, told reporters.
The new hiring wave targets specific functional areas within the company to streamline both localized service and global output. This year's recruitment campaign focuses on adding people in the customer support, manufacturing, and supply chain domains to assist ASML clients in meeting their needs as they expand their operations, as well as to help ASML boost its own worldwide production capacity.
Currently, ASML has a workforce of more than 4,500 in Taiwan, accounting for about 10 percent of its global total, according to Wang.
The financial and manufacturing scale of these local operations remains substantial.
Wang stated that ASML's Taiwan operations generate about EUR 8.3 billion (USD 9.66 billion) a year, representing about 25.5 per cent of its global total.
She added that ASML currently operates eight factories around the world, including two in Taiwan: one in Linkou in New Taipei and the other in Tainan, and it is also building a new facility in New Taipei.
ASML's Taiwan operations produce components and also assemble the company's advanced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) machines for delivery to local clients. Contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) is believed to be one of the largest clients of ASML, using the Dutch company's expensive EUV lithography machines to roll out high-end chips.
Beyond manufacturing, the local unit is tied into the company's broader corporate responsibility initiatives. Wang highlighted the role Taiwan has and will play in helping ASML reach its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.
She said ASML achieved greenhouse gas neutrality at its facilities worldwide for scope 1 (own operations) and scope 2 (purchased energy) emissions in 2025, and was using 100 percent renewable energy for its Taiwan operations.
Taiwan has also been involved in the company's push for a circular economy, Wang said. Since 2019, ASML Taiwan has completed the refurbishment of more than 130 pieces of equipment and the repair and reuse of nearly 10,000 parts, she added.
This has supported the semiconductor industry's push to increase production capacity while ensuring that resources are used efficiently in a sustainable way, she said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Great news for Taiwanese workforce but also a reminder of how concentrated semiconductor manufacturing is. ASML's ESG efforts are commendable—100% renewable energy in Taiwan and refurbishing hundreds of equipment parts. That circular economy model is something Indian manufacturing should study. We waste too much with a "use and throw" mindset.
EUR 8.3 billion from Taiwan operations alone—that's a quarter of ASML's global revenue! TSMC is the big client, and they're using those EUV machines for cutting-edge chips. Makes you think: India's chip design talent is world-class, but we lack the fabs and equipment ecosystem. We need a strategic partnership with companies like ASML, not just importing finished machines. 🤔
Respect to ASML for raising recruitment target from 600 to 1000—that shows real demand. But I'm concerned about geopolitical risks. Taiwan is a flashpoint, and having such critical semiconductor equipment production there is risky. India should position itself as a "China+1" alternative. We have the engineering talent, stable democracy, and growing infrastructure. Time for a semiconductor mission with global partners! 🔧
As someone who works in semiconductor supply chain, this makes total sense. The chip shortage taught everyone a lesson—you need to be where your customers are. ASML going big in Taiwan is strategic. Their scope 1 & 2 carbon neutrality by 2025 is ambitious but doable. India should take notes: we need similar ESG commitments to attract global semiconductor investment.
V Vikram M Good for Taiwan, We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.