SUSS MicroTec SE, a leading manufacturer of equipment and process solutions for the semiconductor industry, announced a strategic reorganization of its global production network in response to sustained high demand and a record order book. The company will concentrate its manufacturing activities at its two largest sites: Zhubei in Taiwan and Sternenfels in Germany. Production of mask aligners will gradually move to Zhubei, while module manufacturing will be centralized in Sternenfels. As a result, production at the Garching site will be discontinued, affecting approximately 70 employees. The company stated it will implement the workforce adjustment in a socially responsible manner and in close dialogue with employee representatives.
The consolidation aims to enhance scalability, reduce internal interfaces, and bring key production capacities closer to customer markets in Asia. “With this realignment, we are enhancing the scalability of our manufacturing processes, reducing internal interfaces and bringing key production capacities closer to customer markets in Asia,” said Dr. Thomas Rohe, COO of SUSS MicroTec SE. “By consolidating our production activities, we are creating a more efficient and scalable manufacturing structure. This provides the foundation to reliably meet sustained customer demand and support the continued sustainable growth of SUSS.”
Despite the production shift, SUSS reaffirmed its commitment to Germany as a hub for research, development, and key manufacturing expertise. The company’s headquarters will remain in Germany, and it is building a new development and application center in Karlsruhe. “We are firmly embedded in a strong network of research institutions and benefit from a unique innovation ecosystem in Germany and Europe. We intend to remain an active part of this ecosystem going forward,” said Burkhardt Frick, CEO of SUSS MicroTec SE. “With our new development and application center currently under construction in Karlsruhe, we are making targeted investments to further strengthen our innovation capabilities and reaffirm our long-term commitment to Germany as a business location.”
The production optimization comes with significant one-off costs. SUSS expects expenses of approximately EUR 6.2 million, of which around EUR 4.5 million will be incurred in fiscal year 2026. Additionally, the relocation is expected to cause temporary effects on revenue recognition, and current supply chain constraints for certain components are anticipated to defer revenue into fiscal year 2027. Consequently, the Management Board has updated its guidance for fiscal year 2026, now expecting revenue of EUR 405 million to EUR 425 million, down from the previous range of EUR 425 million to EUR 485 million. The EBIT margin is projected at 5% to 7%, compared to the prior 8% to 10%. The gross profit margin guidance of 35% to 37% remains unchanged. “By optimizing our production network, we are aligning our manufacturing footprint with the requirements of SUSS’ next phase of growth. The associated short-term impacts represent a deliberate spending in greater scalability and operational efficiency. This positions us to benefit from the continued growth of the semiconductor equipment market while further strengthening our global competitive position,” explained Dr. Cornelia Ballwießer, CFO of SUSS MicroTec SE.
Investors can find definitions of alternative performance measures on the company’s website at https://www.suss.com/en/investor-relations/apm. The quarterly statement as of September 30, 2026, will be published as scheduled on November 5, 2026. The original release is available on www.newmediawire.com.
