At his last press conference as ASML’s top executive, Wennink once again wanted to explain it. Semiconductors are at the heart of all the significant challenges facing the world – climate change, the energy transition, digitalization, and the aging of the world’s population, to name a few.
“Take AI. That is no longer a promise for the future; it is already happening. It needs computing power, data storage, and a link between the two. Similarly, the energy transition can only happen with further electrification of society. All of this is only possible with chips and the semiconductor industry. ASML has the portfolio to help the world in these transitions.”
Why this is important:
ASML’s top executives explained the 2023 annual results today at its headquarters in Veldhoven, the Netherlands. CEO Peter Wennink: “Semiconductors are at the heart of all the world’s major challenges.”
A transition year
In other words, we are nowhere without the Veldhoven-based chip manufacturer. Whereas ASML’s sales grew thirty percent in 2023, it expects to present roughly the same sales figures in one year. The chip market is in a dip, causing ASML to receive fewer large orders. That dip is due to global economic uncertainty, high inflation, and energy prices.
But, this dip will only last for a while. The main indication is that in the last quarter of last year, the company received a record number of orders (9.2 billion euros). 2024 will, therefore, be all about preparing for 2025. Then ASML expects the familiar picture again: more profit. In figures: in 2023, ASML had a turnover of 22 billion; in 2025, it expects a turnover between 44 and 60 billion euros.
Labor migration restrictions
A question from the audience: Is Wennink worried about the new administration in the Netherlands, which, as it seems now, will be less receptive to expats? “Believe me, we need international students and expats. Right now, 65 percent of international students at Eindhoven University of Technology go to work here in the region. ASML is a global company. If we don’t have access to people here, for whatever reason, we will go somewhere where we do have that, where we can grow.”
China and export rules
In 2023, ASML sold a remarkable number of machines to China. The country accounted for just under 30 percent of sales; that share was even higher in the second half of the year. The simple explanation is that relatively many Western customers cancelled orders, so more machines were shipped to China, explains chief financial officer Roger Dassen. “The deliveries to China were orders placed as early as 2022. Our fill rate (the extent to which ASML could meet orders placed, ed.) was low recently due to high demand. We were able to make up some of that in 2023.”
ASML is not allowed to sell its EUV machines to China, and recently, following American pressure, the Dutch government no longer permits the export of slightly less advanced machines. These measures affect ten to fifteen percent of the machines; older machines ASML is allowed to ship to China as usual.
‘Sweet and sour’
As mentioned, it is Wennink’s last press conference. “It feels sweet and sour. I’m happy and proud of where the company is, but saying goodbye is never fun.”
Related Posts
