December 2008 / January 2009 - Association of Dutch Businessmen

Business
The workspace of…
By Sharon van de Veerdonk
Fokko Leutscher
What company do you work for, since
when and what is your job?
The company I work for is ASM International NV.
ASM International has two divisions, Front End and
Back End. As such ASMI designs and manufactures
semiconductor equipment for both the front end
as well as the back end process of chip making.
In other words: Chip makers use ASMI equipment
to manufacture chips.
I joined ASMI in 2000. From 2000 to 2005 I
was responsible for ASM Europe Logistics first and
later for the full Operations scope for ASM Europe.
Since 2006 I am General Manager for ASM Front End
Manufacturing Singapore Pte Ltd, FEMS in short.
FEMS was set up in 2004 with the strategic goals
to streamline Front-End manufacturing costs and
production flexibility by introducing the vertical
integration concept in the Front-End Division of
ASM International. We are therefore continuously
optimizing make/buy decisions both with respect
to regions as well as in house make or outsource.
FEMS employs around 250 people.
Where is your office located?
FEMS is located in Yishun, Industrial Park. Reason
for setting up FEMS in this location was very
obvious: ASM Technology Singapore (ATS in short,
a company in the Back End division) was already
located in this area. We were even so lucky that
we could purchase the building next door to
our sister company ATS, which helped a lot in a
smooth start up of FEMS in 2004/2005.
Cubicle or office?
I have an office, which is just big enough to also
have meetings and teleconferences. “Enough” is
a key word if your company is a manufacturing
company that is set up for cost streamlining.
Although I like to do the good old “management
by walking around”, I do need the office to have
meetings, sometimes even with the door closed.
What do you see through your window?
Through my window I can see other companies
that take part in the “real” economy. Companies
in the Industrial Park area of Yishun are targeting
to add value by “making” things. I find this very
inspiring.
What is your favorite lunch place?
There is this basic coffee shop around the corner
of my office. I like this place, because they know
me good enough to always provide me with a tissue
and have my favorite fresh juice ready when I hit
the fruits counter: red apple + melon; “sweet mix”
they named it.
Which ADB member’s workplace would
you like to see next?
Valentijn van Velthoven is happy to share his
workplace with you next.
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Vol.18 • No. 10 • December 2008 / January 2009