VADO: strong position in Hightech & Semicon
VADO focuses its investment policy primarily on manufacturing companies operating in growing end markets. Our focus is on sectors such as Energy & Energy Transition, Food Manufacturing and Hightech & Semicon. In this article, we highlight our companies that supply precision parts and assemblies to customers in the innovative end market Hightech & Semicon. In this focus market, VADO and its companies have had a strong presence for many years.
At VADO, we are dedicated to fostering innovation and growth in the manufacturing sector and entrepreneurship. As an investor, we have a strong presence in the Southeast Brabant region and the Eastern part of the Netherlands. We are always looking for opportunities to expand our presence in Hightech & Semicon, both within and beyond the Brabant region. We are dedicated to supporting manufacturing companies in this sector, ensuring their long-term success.
Hightech & Semicon: innovation and precision
Pivotal role in driving the Dutch economy
The Dutch high-tech and semiconductor sector plays a pivotal role in driving the Dutch economy. The Netherlands has established itself as a global leader in the production of high-tech products and semiconductors, a position it has attained by virtue of a robust ecosystem, a strong base in mechanical engineering, technological innovation, and strict hygiene requirements.
The Netherlands has a rich history in manufacturing, with a strong focus on mechanical engineering. Prominent companies such as DAF and Philips, along with numerous other large and small manufacturing enterprises, have established a robust foundation, leveraging an extensive supply chain that specializes in operations such as turning, milling, and sheet metal.
Unprecedented precision
Today, however, production facilities in the Netherlands encompass much more than traditional metalworking companies. Instead, they function as high-tech laboratories, where precision and clinical production conditions are key. Generally, production techniques are becoming more sophisticated, down to the microscopic level. This precision technology necessitates advanced cleanrooms that are as clean as possible to prevent even the smallest particles from disrupting production.
ASML: driving force
The high-tech sector in the Netherlands, particularly the supply chain for companies like ASML, is distinguished by its exceptional precision and cutting-edge technology.
The remarkable growth of Veldhoven-based chip machine manufacturer ASML has been thoroughly documented in recent years. An extensive and innovative ecosystem of high-tech suppliers has developed around this major player, expanding beyond the region of Southeast Brabant to encompass the Netherlands at large. This collaborative network of companies is driving success and enhancing the international competitiveness of the Netherlands in this sector.
Bright future
In addition to ASML and the ecosystem surrounding it, the Netherlands is home to numerous other world-leading high-tech companies, ranging from satellite component manufacturing to microscopes and blood analysis equipment.
The future of the Dutch high-tech and semiconductor sector appears promising, with plans for further growth and expansion. Companies are making strategic investments in cutting-edge technologies, such as 3D metal printing (additive manufacturing) to meet the growing demand for highly sophisticated and precise components.
VADO companies in Hightech & Semicon
VADO has established a solid presence in the high-tech and semiconductor sectors through its portfolio of companies. Since 1989, VADO’s companies have focused on this important sector with high-quality, innovative products and solutions.
ANVIL Industries
Anvil Industries is a strong collaboration of companies combining their knowledge and experience in machining, sheet metal, welded assemblies, mechanical assembly and engineering. Each of them is a specialist in their field. The companies working within Anvil operate independently, supporting each other whenever they can. This is our unique proposition: Anvil carries out machining operations in the widest sense of the word, both high-mix, low-volume (HMLV) and low-mix, high-volume (LMHV). The companies of Anvil facilitate a wide scala of possibilities in terms of tolerances, batch sizes and competences. From single-piece precision manufacturing of small components till larger batches of welded assemblies.
All Anvil partners are located near each other in the Netherlands, making our distribution costs low. Our customer base includes original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and top-tier suppliers in multiple industries like Semiconductor, Medical, Optical & Analytical industries.
Mecal High-tech Systems
VADO subsidiary Mecal High-tech Systems (Mecal HTS) has been in operation since 1989 and has evolved into a prominent international company with a strong presence in high-tech markets, including semiconductors, nanotechnology, and medical devices. Mecal HTS offers specialized engineering services in the areas of vibration and fluid movement, catering to these specific market sectors. Mecal also supplies vibration damping platforms (also known as ‘machine support frames’) for ASML machines, among others, to chip manufacturers worldwide.
Company News
Examples of Anvil companies that meet ASML’s high-quality standards as suppliers are Jansen Machining Technology in Valkenswaard and Rols Machineonderdelen in Geldrop. These companies utilize highly automated machinery for turning and milling parts (high mix, low volume), which are then assembled into mechanical modules in a cleanroom environment.
Anvil Company Job Precision takes it a step further, producing high-precision parts and components from high-performance materials using the most advanced techniques and machinery, including EDM and precision grinding, further enhancing their capabilities. Job Precision provides its services to the aerospace, medical, optical, and semiconductor industries.
BKL Engineering, part of Anvil Industries, is a technical service provider specialized in developing and constructing safe and precise machinery. Their expertise lies in custom-designed lifting and handling tools used for manufacturing, transporting, installing, and maintaining equipment. BKL primarily serves high-tech companies in the optical and semiconductor industries.
Machinefactory De Valk is the Quick Response Manufacturer (QRM) and frontrunner and specialist in designing and 3D printing of metals (Additive Manufacturing) at Anvil Industries. Slagman in Doetinchem has also a strong reputation in this field, and also manufactures frames for mechanical engineering. Last year, both companies, along with the other Anvil companies, were certified by DNV for the ISO 14001 environmental standard. In addition, the companies utilize the EcoVadis platform and have been recognized with the Ecovadis Silver Medal.