Dec 20, 2015 CEO Günter Lauber: Transition to Smart Factory means continued growth for ASM Assembly Systems
Believing that the growth strategy of ASM Assembly Systems has been confirmed, CEO Günter Lauber is optimistic for 2016 despite some risks with regard to the economy. Thanks to strong demand for SIPLACE and DEK solutions, the company became the world’s largest maker of SMT equipment for the first time in 2015. The Smart #1 SMT Factory concept is expected to provide additional impulses for continued growth. At the Productronica show, the industry’s leading trade fair held in November, ASM introduced a series of new platforms, systems and solutions for advanced programming, process integration and material logistics. They enable the customers to move their production one step at a time towards SMT-specific Industry 4.0 concepts that enable them to manufacture with even more flexibility and efficiency. Lauber also believes that his company is perfectly positioned for future technologies in the wafer-based integration of components to form complex modules (such as fan-out WLCSP and system-in-package).
“Needless to say, there is not much we as a single company can do about risks like a slowdown in the Chinese economy. That’s why it is our job as managers to continuously improve our relative market position – and we are certainly moving in the right direction,” said Günter Lauber about the reasons justifying his optimistic outlook for 2016.
Another reason is the fact that – driven by the high demand for SIPLACE placement platforms and DEK printing solutions – ASM for the first time became the world's No. 1 supplier of SMT manufacturing equipment in 2015. The large numbers of visitors and potential buyers at the important Productronica trade fair are additional indicators of the improved market position of ASM Assembly Systems.
Smart #1 SMT Factory provide impetus for growth
ASM Assembly Systems calls its innovation and growth strategy “Smart #1 SMT Factory”. With powerful and networked machines, efficient automation, intelligent process integration and solutions for transparent material logistics, CEO Günter Lauber wants to make his company the preferred partners for the step-by-step implementation of Industry 4.0 concepts in SMT production. Accordingly, ASM Assembly Systems introduced the first concrete results of this strategy at this year's Productronica in the form of new placement and printing platforms (SIPLACE TX, DEK NeoHorizon, etc.), new feeding solutions (SIPLACE BulkFeeder) and innovative solutions for the autonomous optimization of SMT processes (ASM ProcessExpert).
Merging backend and SMT technologies
ASM Assembly Systems also expects to gain additional and new customer groups outside of classic SMT production through new developments in areas of electronics manufacturing. For the next wave of miniaturization, for example, the industry needs high-precision machines that integrate wafer-based and passive components as well as memory chips to form complex modules. Keywords include fan-out WLP, 3D packaging, system-in-package (SIP) and package-on-package (PoP). “These new technologies condense a huge number of functions and capacities in a tiny space. With its Leadframe, Backend and SMT Solutions segments, ASM is the world’s only supplier that covers the entire chain from wafer to placement. Leading technology companies are increasingly looking for cross-functional competencies in these highly innovative areas. ASM Assembly Systems already offers platforms that are perfectly suited for the production of these new modules thanks to their precision, flexibility and speed,” said Lauber. He believes that solutions like his company's SIPLACE CA will be an additional growth engine for his company in the future.
The SMT Solutions segment of ASM Pacific Technology
Since the acquisition of printing specialist DEK and its integration into ASM Pacific Technology (ASMPT) on July 2, 2014, ASM Assembly Systems has been operating as ASMPT's SMT Solutions segment consisting of the Printing Solutions Division (DEK) and the Placement Solutions Division (SIPLACE).
SMT Solutions develops and sells best-in-class DEK printers for the SMT, semiconductor and solar markets as well as best-in-class SIPLACE SMT placement solutions. Both divisions use the ASMPT organization to let their customers enjoy significant competitive benefits. ASMPT's SMT Solutions segment shares and expands its expertise with electronics manufacturers and partners all over the world. Its goal is to improve its customers' workflows and use new technologies to advance process integration in the industry.For more information visit www.asm-smt-solutions.com.
ASM Pacific Technology (ASMPT) has been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 1989. The ASMPT Group develops systems and solutions for semiconductor production and packaging as well as surface mount technology applications. The company has plants in China (incl. Hong Kong), Singapore, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
ASMPT is currently one of the constituent stocks on the Hang Seng HK MidCap Index under the Hang Seng Composite Index, the Hang Seng Information Technology Industry Index, the Hang Seng Hong Kong 35 index and the Hang Seng Global Composite Index.For more information about ASMPT, visit www.asmpacific.com
