As the world's number one in the wafer foundry industry, TSMC has exclusively occupied more than half of the market share of . The advancedness and stability of chip manufacturing technology have always been leading, but under the current situation, it still cannot independently decide future development.
Regarding the construction of a factory in the United States, TSMC's decision changes before and after were very dramatic, and even the attitude of founder Zhang Zhongmou also reversed. Recently, when Zhang Zhongmou attended the meeting, he directly expressed his attitude, which was equivalent to a complete showdown!
First talk about the changes in TSMC's decision. At first, TSMC was not willing to build a factory in the United States because they understood that it was 50% more expensive to manufacture chips in the United States. Although the wafer fabs in the United States were able to make profits in 25 years, they have never expanded them.
In May 2020, he finally agreed to go to the United States to build a 5nm chip factory. But then repeatedly stated that it was not in line with commercial interests and the construction speed was not fast, because the chip subsidy was not in place. Now that the subsidies have been passed, the construction process has also accelerated.
will hold a equipment entry ceremony in December. It is reported that a 3nm factory will be built here, and soon TSMC denied it again.
Chang Zhongmou has never supported TSMC's attitude towards building a factory in the United States. He even commented twice in public about the US improving its local chip manufacturing, saying that it is impossible to succeed, even if the US invests another 100 billion US dollars.
Later, Zhang Zhongmou said that it was a mistake to go to the United States to build a factory. He had retired at that time, and recently said that TSMC would lose when he went to the United States.
and above make us always believe that Zhang Zhongmou does not support TSMC in the United States to build a factory. Now, as the chairman of TSMC, Liu Deyin, he decided to build a factory in the United States, and he also said that the mainland's share is not very important.
But unexpectedly, some of Zhang Zhongmou's previous opposition seemed to be acting. Now, the reversal has appeared. Recently, Zhang Zhongmou recently stated that even if the manufacturing cost in the United States is 50%, some production lines will still be transferred to the United States.
, and, at the press conference to return to Taiwan, it was officially confirmed for the first time that it would build a 3nm wafer factory in the United States after the 5nm factory.
Now, Zhang Zhong’s plan is not hidden from TSMC’s construction in the United States, and it can be said that he has completely shown up. Even if the cost is 50%, it is determined that the profit is not large. So, why did TSMC insist on going to the United States under such circumstances?
First, due to pressure from the US side, coupled with the temptation of interests. is obvious that TSMC is not considering it from a business perspective, but is under pressure from the US side. Zhang Zhongmou also admitted that building a 5nm factory in the US was carried out at the urging of the US.
, and TSMC made a big move, investing $12 billion, which is not a small amount. TSMC's global capital expenditure this year is only $36 billion, and the US chip bill was finally passed, so it received a $52 billion subsidy.
Of course, it is also because the US promises that TSMC can receive subsidies, and there are also various preferential policies such as tax exemption and tax reduction.
Second, due to competitive pressure and great dependence. Last year, Intel restarted its chip foundry business, directly benchmarking TSMC and Samsung , and actively cooperated with the above to improve local chip manufacturing. Of course, the United States will provide greater support.
. TSMC's top ten customers last year accounted for 8 US companies, with revenue accounting for 44%, of which , Apple, accounted for about 25%. It can be seen how much TSMC relies on US companies, and Intel began to compete with it to suppress customers.
and TSMC's supply chain are also highly dependent on the United States, and manufacturing equipment, software, materials, etc. are inseparable from American suppliers.
Third, due to the pressure of the situation, coupled with supply differentiation. Now, the chip industry situation has begun to decline cyclically. TSMC has encountered many large customers who have cut orders. The 7nm production capacity of has dropped by nearly 50%, and even large manufacturers can't stand it.
More importantly, some large customers have begun to be dissatisfied with chip manufacturing that is overly dependent on Taiwan, China, and have begun to diversify chip manufacturing sources to avoid supply chain risks. For example, , Qualcomm , and also seek OEM for Samsung, GF, etc.
Apple recently directly stated that it will purchase chip from fabs under construction in the United States in 2024 to reduce its dependence on Asia.
Based on the above three reasons, Zhang Zhongmou completely showed up about TSMC's factory construction in the United States. Recently, TSMC's first batch of 300 technical backbones have taken the opportunity to the American factory with their families, and nearly a thousand engineers will go to the United States in the future.
There will be 3nm chip factories next, and more talents will probably be moved. The "empty" of TSMC has begun!
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-