Chip machinery maker ASM International and activist shareholders Hermes and Fursa have been been told by the company court to get back round the negotiating table, news agency ANP reports.

ASMI, Hermes and Fursa have been embroiled in a dispute over company policy for more than a year. The two shareholders want CEO Chuck del Prado replaced but the company, supported by ASMI founder Arthur del Prado refuses.
Last year when the investment companies wanted to force the issue, ASMI set up an extra layer of defences by issuing preference shares to a friendly foundation.
The court has given the three parties until June 5 to draw up their standpoints before an open hearing on July 3.