IT MAY NOT BE the most exciting of accolades, but ASM Pacific takes some pride in being the world's No 1 chip assembly and machine maker.
And in a slumping semiconductor industry, the company has fared pretty well. Just two weeks ago, it announced a 23 per cent rise in net profit to US$36.5 million.
Yes, this is down almost 74 per cent from its most profitable time two years ago, but it was enough to keep the company at the top of its league - most of its major competitors are deep in the red.
Managing director Patrick Lam See-pong took some time out recently to explain how the company has been fighting back amid the severe downturn.
Q: What has been the key to your success so far?
A: For a high-technology company the most important asset is talent. Talent is not something you can easily find on the street. It is something that takes years to accumulate and nurture.