SUSS MicroTec shares plunge 10% after 2026 forecast cut

Shares of SUSS MicroTec fell as much as 10% on Tuesday after the German chip equipment maker cut its 2026 sales and profit forecasts, citing a production relocation and supply constraints.

SUSS now expects 2026 sales of €405 million to €425 million, versus €425 million to €485 million previously. It expects an operating profit (EBIT) margin of 5% to 7%, versus 8% to 10% previously. Its forecast for a gross profit margin of 35% to 37% is unchanged.

The company said the lower outlook reflects one-off expenses of about €6.2 million from the production relocation, of which about €4.5 million are expected in 2026, as well as timing-related shifts in when revenue is recorded. 

It added that a constrained supply of certain components is expected to push some sales into 2027.

SUSS’s Management Board decided, with the approval of its Supervisory Board, to concentrate production at its two largest sites, Zhubei in Taiwan and Sternenfels in Germany. Production of mask aligners will be moved gradually to Zhubei, while module manufacturing will be concentrated in Sternenfels.

Production at the Garching site will end, and no systems or modules will be made there. The change affects about 70 employees, and the company said it would carry it out in a socially responsible manner and in talks with employee representatives.

Chief Operating Officer Thomas Rohe said the move involves “reducing internal interfaces and bringing key production capacities closer to customer markets in Asia.”

SUSS said order intake stayed high in the third quarter and its order book reached a record level.