AMSTERDAM, Sept 20 (Reuters) - NTS Group, a Dutch-based

maker of "mechatronic" equipment used by semiconductor firms

including neighbouring giant ASML, on Friday opened a

major new assembly and manufacturing plant in Singapore.

Mechatronics integrate mechanical, electronics and software

systems. NTS is known as a supplier of highly complex systems

used in metrology, where top names include Lam Research ( LRCX ), Applied

Materials ( AMAT ), Thermo Fisher and ASML, among

others.

NTS, based in Eindhoven, is the latest of a series of Dutch

semiconductor industry firms to add manufacturing capacity in

Asian countries outside China following tension with the U.S.

The company also has assembly capacity in Shanghai, and

recently opened a U.S. office in Milpitas, California.

"The global demand for ultra-precision components and

modules continues to rise," said the company's new CEO Frans van

Lierop in a statement. Van Lierop, a former ASML supply chain

manager, took the top job at NTS in May.

The company did not disclose the size of the investment, but

a spokesperson said the plant is 20,000 square metres and

employs 300 people.