As Samsung and SK hynix rally, three global semiconductor equipment makers add 2,500 workers in South Korea

[Financial News] As Samsung Electronics and SK hynix expand investment in high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and advanced DRAM, the South Korean workforces of three global semiconductor equipment makers—ASML, Lam Research and Tokyo Electron (TEL)—have grown by more than 2,500 in three years. These companies, known as “super suppliers” for their core equipment and technical capabilities essential to semiconductor production, are major equipment suppliers to Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. The memory boom has led to employment growth in South Korea, as demand for technical staff to support production sites has risen alongside equipment supplies.
According to industry sources on the 3rd, the three major global semiconductor equipment makers, including ASML, Lam Research and TEL, had a combined 7,800 employees in South Korea this year. Compared with 5,300 in 2023, when the memory chip downturn was at its worst, domestic employment in the sector alone has grown 1.5-fold in three years.  
By company, Lam Research, the U.S. etching and deposition equipment maker, saw particularly strong growth, with its South Korean workforce increasing from 1,500 in 2023 to 2,600 this year. ASML, the Netherlands-based extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment maker, and Japan’s Tokyo Electron also added about 800 and 600 employees, respectively, bringing their South Korean workforces to 2,800 and 2,400.  
The expansion of global equipment makers’ workforces in the South Korean market is tied to increased capital investment by Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. As the two companies expand production capacity for HBM and high-value-added DRAM, demand is growing not only for equipment supplies but also for technical staff to support production on site.
Even after semiconductor equipment is delivered, processes must be optimized for customers’ production lines, and maintenance and performance improvements must be carried out continuously. As the shift to finer processes and the expansion of HBM production increase technical complexity, demand is also rising for engineers to provide technical support at South Korean production sites, including those of Samsung Electronics and SK hynix.
An industry official said, “The expansion of global equipment makers’ workforces signals that memory makers’ DRAM investments are translating into actual equipment orders,” adding, “Since on-site engineers are continually needed for installation and setup, as well as maintenance, even after equipment is brought in, we expect equipment makers to continue expanding their workforces.” 
[email protected] Park Ji-yeon, Lim Su-bin Reporter