"Don't Quit, We'll Give You a 50 Million Won Bonus"...This Company Takes Drastic Measures to Retain Talent

Fierce Talent Hunt Amid Semiconductor Boom

ASML to Reward Long-Term Employees with Retention Bonus

Samsung, TSMC, SK Also Locked in Intense Compensation Battle

ASML, the world’s largest semiconductor equipment manufacturer based in the Netherlands, has begun offering up to 20,000 euros (approximately 50 million won) in compensation to long-term employees in an effort to retain talent. This move comes as the explosive growth of the artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor market makes securing skilled personnel a key factor in corporate competitiveness. Industry experts expect this will intensify the global race to attract top talent.

ASML researchers are observing the manufacturing process. ASML

According to foreign media reports on July 20 (local time), ASML plans to grant incentives worth 20,000 euros to employees who remain with the company from 2027 to 2030, in the form of a Conditional Share Award. The program will be launched in January 2027, and all employees who meet the necessary qualifications will be eligible. ASML currently employs about 44,500 people worldwide.

Semiconductor Talent Value Rises in the AI Era

This measure is directly linked to the intensifying competition for talent throughout the global semiconductor industry. As the AI semiconductor market rapidly expands, demand has soared for highly-skilled workers capable of operating advanced processes and equipment, while the supply has failed to keep pace.

In response to this structural labor shortage, major semiconductor companies such as Samsung Electronics, SK hynix, and TSMC are also expanding performance bonuses and long-term incentives in order to retain key personnel.

Performance-Driven Rewards... Growth Trend Continues

ASML’s strong business performance is the foundation behind its ability to promise such large-scale compensation. In the second quarter of this year, the company posted sales of 9.326 billion euros (about 15.9 trillion won) and a net profit of 2.918 billion euros (about 5 trillion won), up 6.4% and 5.8% respectively from the previous quarter. Both figures significantly exceeded market expectations.

ASML company logo. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News

Profitability also improved. The gross margin stood at 54.0%, up 1 percentage point from the previous quarter, and new lithography equipment sales increased from 67 units to 86 units. Based on this performance, ASML sharply raised its annual revenue forecast from 36-40 billion euros to 43-45 billion euros.

For the third quarter, the company projected sales of 11-12 billion euros and a gross margin of 55-57%, indicating continued growth. Industry analysts believe that as long as AI semiconductor investment is on the rise, ASML’s business momentum will likely be sustained in the mid- to long-term.

'EUV Monopoly' Drives Competitive Edge

The core of ASML’s competitive edge comes from its extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment. This equipment is essential for etching ultra-fine circuits onto wafers, and ASML is the only manufacturer in the world currently producing it, making its position virtually monopolistic.

Recently, the company has also demonstrated the commercial viability of its next-generation technology, High-NA EUV (High Numerical Aperture EUV). According to ASML, Intel is already using this equipment for mass production of certain Intel Core Ultra Series 3 (Panther Lake) products in its 18A (1.8nm-class) process. This means the next-generation lithography technology has moved beyond research, achieving stable yields in commercial production.

The next-generation extreme ultraviolet (EUV) equipment, 'High NA EUV,' is being assembled in Veldhoven, the Netherlands, where ASML's headquarters is located. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

High-NA EUV equipment raises the lens numerical aperture from 0.33 to 0.55, enabling even finer circuitry. Each unit costs about 350 million euros (approximately 600 billion won). As competition heats up for AI semiconductor and next-generation processor manufacturing, demand for such equipment is expected to further increase.

'People Are the Real Competitive Edge'... The Talent War Accelerates

Industry observers assess ASML’s latest policy as more than just an expanded compensation package—it is a long-term strategy for securing competitive strength. The move reflects the recognition that retaining and attracting talent to design and operate advanced facilities is essential for maintaining a technological edge. ASML’s decision is likely to further accelerate the global competition for top talent in the future.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.