SUSS MicroTec SE, a leading manufacturer of equipment and process solutions for the semiconductor industry, has announced a strategic optimization of its global production network in response to sustained strong demand for its advanced packaging and semiconductor manufacturing solutions. The move, approved by the Management Board and Supervisory Board, will see production activities concentrated at the company's two largest manufacturing sites: Zhubei in Taiwan and Sternenfels in Germany. The decision comes as order intake remained high in the third quarter and the order book reached a new record level, increasing visibility into future business development and underscoring the need for a scalable and efficient manufacturing structure.
Under the plan, production of mask aligners will gradually be consolidated at the Zhubei site, while module manufacturing will be concentrated in Sternenfels. Production activities at the Garching site will be discontinued, accompanied by a workforce adjustment affecting approximately 70 employees. SUSS stated it is committed to implementing these changes in a socially responsible manner and in close dialogue with employee representatives. "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." The company also emphasized that Germany remains a key hub for research and development, key manufacturing, application and technology expertise, as well as its headquarters. "We are firmly embedded in a strong network of research institutions and benefit from a unique innovation ecosystem in Germany and Europe," said CEO Burkhardt Frick, citing the new development and application center under construction in Karlsruhe as a targeted investment to strengthen innovation capabilities.
In connection with the production network optimization, SUSS expects one-off expenses of approximately EUR 6.2 million, of which around EUR 4.5 million are expected to be incurred in fiscal year 2026. Additionally, the company anticipates temporary effects on revenue recognition from the production relocation, as well as a currently constrained supply situation for certain components, which is expected to result in revenue being deferred into fiscal year 2027. Consequently, the Management Board has adjusted its guidance and now expects revenue in a range of EUR 405 million to EUR 425 million (previously: EUR 425 million to EUR 485 million). The EBIT margin is now expected to be 5% to 7% (previously: 8% to 10%), while the guidance for the gross profit margin 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," explained Dr. Cornelia Ballwießer, CFO of SUSS MicroTec SE. "The associated short-term impacts represent a deliberate spending in greater scalability and operational efficiency." The company's definitions of alternative performance measures used in this announcement are published on its investor relations page. The Quarterly Statement as of September 30, 2026, will be published as scheduled on November 5, 2026. For more information, visit www.suss.com. The original release is available on www.newmediawire.com.
