The worldwide shortages of computer chips ensure that chip machine manufacturer ASML is experiencing top times. Turnover was 4.4 billion euros in the past quarter, almost twice as much as in the same period last year. Then 2.4 billion euros in turnover was generated.
“You saw a change at the beginning of this year”, says top boss Peter Wennink. “There was a significant spurt in the demand for chips. Customers to whom we supply have done everything to increase their production.”
ASML is by far the largest supplier of chip making machines in the world. Not only did more orders for chip machines come in, customers also asked for a software upgrade of their existing machines. They can then use those machines to increase production, but that software has to be paid for. “And there is a good margin on that,” says Wennink.
Highest stock market value
Major chip manufacturers take into account that the chip shortages can persist until 2022. The corona pandemic has disrupted the production process and the demand for chips is high in various industries, such as the automotive industry. The worldwide rollout of the 5G communication network is also leading to more demand for chips. ASML is counting on a growth in turnover of 30 percent for the entire year.
The Veldhoven company has rapidly increased in value on the stock exchange. It is worth more than 210 billion euros, making it by far the most valuable Dutch company with a stock exchange listing. This year the value has already increased almost 30 percent.