Q&A: September 2026

ASML went from being a start-up that was considered to have no chance of success to becoming a global market leader. In Lessons Learned from ASML , Susanne van der Velden, together with Mohammad Nasir Nasiri, explores what we can learn from this.

Text: Pancras Dijk

Every month, there are countless new books, theatre productions, podcasts and videos. *De Ingenieur* picks out the most interesting ones and asks the creator five questions.

1 Why did you write this book?

‘Actually, this book is the result of a commission I accepted back in 2011. Previous attempts had been made to document the history of ASML from a business management perspective. Through my PhD supervisor at Tilburg University, I was given the opportunity to build on that. What began as a doctoral thesis continued for years, alongside work, family and other commitments. Eventually, it developed into this book.’

2 Who did you write this book for?

‘The academic section is intended for researchers, but I have made the general public version as accessible as possible, although it is not written in overly simplistic language. Anyone with an interest in engineering or business administration can gain something from it. Above all, I hope to get entrepreneurs, managers, policymakers and investors thinking. Technology, financing and the business climate are important, but the way in which organisations, suppliers and ecosystems are structured is just as crucial.’

3 What fascinates you about this subject?

‘Above all, the paradoxical combination of structure and freedom. It is precisely strong system architecture that safeguards the sum of its parts that makes creativity possible. I once dined with a former CEO, who was also an excellent chef. He had incorporated pears and saffron into each of the seven courses. ‘There must always be a common thread,’ he explained, ‘without coherence, complexity becomes unmanageable. I see that holistic thinking not only in technology, but also in organisations and, ultimately, even in everyday life.’

4 What did you learn whilst writing?

‘I became increasingly aware of just how much luck and chance have played a part in ASML’s success. The geopolitical circumstances were favourable: Europe offered an alternative to Japanese goods, whilst Philips provided an important foundation. At the same time, I discovered that many of the principles behind this success are indeed transferable. Some lessons also prove to be surprisingly applicable outside the unique context of ASML.’

5 Why should engineers read this book?

‘It is not a book about systems engineering, as enough has already been written on that subject. However, we do describe what systems thinking means for organisations and collaboration. Engineers often focus on technology, whilst success ultimately also depends on the way people make decisions and work together. I hope to offer a complementary perspective, so that technical professionals learn to view complex issues not only from a technical standpoint, but also from the perspective of the organisation as a whole.’

Lessons Learned from ASML. Building and Sustaining Innovation under Uncertainty

Susanne van der Velden & Mohammad Nasir Nasiri | 304 pages | €34.99