Tech firm ASM International to pump major investment into Almere region
Dutch high-tech firm ASM International plans to invest hundreds of millions of euros in expanding its operations in Almere, where the company has been based for over two decades. The company said Wednesday it is planning a new facility in the Flevoland city to host its global headquarters, a new research and development center, product development teams, and training services.
The expansion in Almere will support the company’s future growth, with an aim towards doubling annual revenue within a few years. Last year, the company posted 2.9 billion euros in sales, which ASM International wants to increase to over 5.7 billion euros by 2023.
Some 4,500 people in 16 countries work for the publicly-traded company, which manufactures equipment used by semiconductor companies. Heavy volume trading at the opening bell on the Euronext Amsterdam market pushed shares in the company up 1 percent to over 510 euros in the first two hours of trading on Thursday.
The agreement with ASM to invest in the municipality was signed by the company, Almere Mayor Hein van der Loo, and representatives of the Province of Flevoland on Wednesday. Economic Affairs Minister Vincent Karremans attended the event.
“ASM is growing rapidly, and to meet increasing demand of our customers we are expanding our R&D capabilities worldwide, including here in Europe,” said CEO Hichem M’Saad in a statement. “This new facility will be a cornerstone for innovation and a catalyst for future growth.”
“This investment by ASM is a strong signal for the Netherlands as a hub for high-tech innovation. It will create jobs, strengthen our semiconductor ecosystem, and reinforce Europe’s strategic position in advanced technologies,” Karremans wrote. “We are proud to support ASM in this important step,” the VVD politician added.
The ASM International expansion is part of the development of the Zuidoever Weerwater district the municipality previously announced. Almere already said it wants a High Tech Campus at the location to attract innovative companies and researchers, with more housing, neighborhood green spaces, a small forest, and a park.
At the start of 2025, Almere was the eighth-largest municipality in the Netherlands. Some 229,500 people live in the city, about a thousand fewer than Tilburg.
