Type
Internal restructuring
Country
Netherlands
Region
Zuid-Nederland; Noord-Brabant; Zuidoost-Noord-Brabant
Location of affected unit(s)
Veldhoven
Sector
Manufacturing
(28) Manufacture of machinery and equipment
28.9 - Manufacture of other special-purpose machinery
28.99 - Manufacture of other special-purpose machinery n.e.c.

1,500 jobs
Number of planned job losses
Job loss
Announcement Date
28 January 2026
Employment effect (start)
28 January 2026
Foreseen end date
31 December 2026

Description

ASML, a Dutch manufacturer of advanced chip-making equipment, has announced a restructuring plan involving the reduction of 1,700 jobs, mainly affecting management positions within its technology department in Veldhoven, North Brabant. The jobs—mainly managerial positions—will be lost primarily in the Netherlands, with a small number in the United States ASM 2026 - WO.

The company stated that this internal restructuring is aimed at increasing organisational agility to prepare for anticipated future growth, rather than reducing costs.

Trade union CNV expressed shock at the announcement, particularly given its timing alongside ASML’s presentation of record-breaking 2025 financial results and optimistic 2026 growth forecasts. CNV questioned the rationale for reducing staff while simultaneously planning capacity expansion. ASML maintains that the restructuring is necessary to ensure its core innovation engine remains highly efficient amid surging global demand for AI-related semiconductor technologies.


Sources

Citation

Eurofound (2026), ASM Lithography (ASML), Internal restructuring in Netherlands, factsheet number 204086, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://dev.eurofound.europa.eu/restructuring-events/detail/204086.