In today’s semiconductor industry, ASML is undoubtedly the king of the lithography equipment sector. The world’s most advanced semiconductor manufacturers, such as TSMC, Intel, and Samsung, all rely heavily on ASML’s equipment.
However, few people know that this global giant, now in a dominant position, actually started out in a leaky shed.
According to recent reports, ASML was originally founded through a collaboration between Philips and Advanced Semiconductor Materials International (ASMI). At the time, the two companies saw the potential in the photolithography equipment market and decided to establish a new company focused on this field.
But ASML’s beginnings were far from ideal. Its first base was located in the Strijp-T area of Eindhoven, the former Philips campus in the Netherlands. It was a single-story prefab building that actually leaked, connected to the ground floor of the Philips TQ building. Old photos show that the original ASML site was indeed a rickety shed.
Building on R&D from the early 1970s, ASML soon launched its first system—the PAS 2000 stepper—and the company’s business began to flourish.
In 1985, ASML moved into an office and factory built specifically for it. Coincidentally, this was also when ASML signed its partnership with lens manufacturer Carl Zeiss, a collaboration that continues to this day.
In the 1990s, ASML introduced its breakthrough platform, the PAS 5500 lithography system. Thanks to this success, ASML went public on both the Amsterdam and New York stock exchanges, recognized for its industry-leading lithography performance and resolution.
In 2001, ASML launched the first Twinscan machine, which featured revolutionary dual-stage technology. Today, ASML has once again reached a level beyond the reach of competitors with its EXE platform and High-NA technology.
ASML’s latest annual report shows revenue approaching $31 billion, with operations in more than 60 countries and over 44,000 employees.
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