Esmo marks 25 years with Germany, China & Taiwan expansion

esmo Group has completed three facility expansions in Germany, China and Taiwan as it marks its 25th anniversary.

The Rosenheim-based automation and semiconductor test supplier completed the projects within six months to strengthen its presence in key chip industry markets.

esmo employs about 285 people and reports annual revenue of around EUR 60 million across two divisions: semiconductor test systems and special-purpose machinery. Founded in 2001, the business has grown from delivering three manipulators in its first year to producing more than 2,000 annually and supplying customers in more than 70 countries.

Its customer base includes CCTec, Advantest, Infineon, Bosch, STMicroelectronics and Intel, with many of those relationships spanning more than 15 years.

Three sites

In Germany, esmo has added a new building next to its existing assembly hall in Rosenheim. The site houses administrative functions, along with engineering and software development teams from its semiconductor business.

In China, the expansion is a new production facility in Shanghai with dedicated manufacturing space and a cleanroom. The site focuses on automated test equipment and prober systems, covering assembly, quality assurance and local customer support.

In Taiwan, esmo has moved into a shared office in Zhubei created through an initiative led by parent company Accuron Industrial Technologies. The office also brings together other Accuron portfolio companies, including RECIF Technologies, mechatronic systemtechnik, Trymax Semiconductor Equipment and NexGen Wafer Systems.

The Taiwan base is intended to support collaboration across the semiconductor supply chain in one of the sector's key markets. Zhubei is a major centre for semiconductor activity on the island.

Growth path

The latest investments come as semiconductor equipment suppliers assess where to place engineering, manufacturing and support resources closer to customers. Demand for test and handling systems has been shaped by increasingly complex chip designs and by the computing requirements tied to artificial intelligence and other data-intensive applications.

esmo noted that its first customer remains active today, which it cited as evidence of long-standing client ties. The group is a subsidiary of Accuron Industrial Technologies.

Andreas Rothstein, Chief Executive Officer of esmo AG, said the expansions reflect the company's broader development over the past quarter century.

"Reaching 25 years is a significant milestone, but what matters more to us is what it represents - a track record built on engineering discipline and long-term customer relationships," said Rothstein, Chief Executive Officer of esmo AG.

He said the latest openings are part of an effort to build on that position in established semiconductor regions. Rosenheim remains the group's home base, while Shanghai gives it a larger manufacturing footprint in China and Zhubei places staff in a market central to semiconductor production and supply networks.

Semiconductor focus

esmo is focusing on semiconductor handling technologies that address the demands of artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and other advanced applications. It is also continuing to invest in service operations, automation, digitalisation and manufacturing processes.

The company operates in the part of the semiconductor industry that supports testing and handling rather than chip fabrication itself. That places it among specialist suppliers that help manufacturers move, interface with and test devices during production and development.

Its semiconductor business includes manipulators, docking and interfacing components, and handling systems. Alongside that unit, the group also runs an automation business serving machinery engineering and industrial automation customers.

Rothstein said the pace of change in the industry is shaping the company's next round of investment decisions.

"The semiconductor industry is evolving faster than ever, and our customers need partners who can keep pace," said Rothstein. "We've built our success on engineering excellence, reliability, and the ability to solve complex challenges. As we look to the future, we will continue to invest in our people, our technology, and our global presence to ensure that esmo remains the partner of choice for the world's leading chipmakers."