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☆ Biden to give Taiwan’s TSMC $6.6 billion to ramp up US chip production
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-08 | by ( Sam Fossum | Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Washington, DC/London CNN —The US government plans to give $6.6 billion to the world’s biggest manufacturer of semiconductor chips to help it build three factories in Arizona as part of President Joe Biden’s efforts to secure the supply of advanced chips. “America invented these chips, but over time, we went from producing nearly 40% of the world’s capacity to close to 10%, and none of the most advanced chips,” Biden said in a statement. The company’s total $65 billion investment represents the largest foreign direct investment in Arizona’s history, the White House said. Securing supply chainsThe US government has emphasized the need to bring more chip production onshore to limit potential supply disruptions. Taiwan is also in a vulnerable position: Supply chain experts and US officials worry that US-China trade tensions and potential military aggression against the island by Beijing could disrupt its vital chip-making industry.

Persons: Joe Biden’s, ” Biden, Mark Liu, Gina Raimondo, Biden, “, Juliana Liu Organizations: London CNN, White, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, US Locations: Washington, DC, Arizona, ”, America, Taiwan, China, Beijing, United States of America, Hong Kong

☆ Plans to Expand U.S. Chip Manufacturing Are Running Into Obstacles
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Don Clark | Ana Swanson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In December 2022, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the key maker of the world’s most cutting-edge chips, said it planned to spend $40 billion in Arizona on its first major U.S. hub for semiconductor production. The much ballyhooed project outside Phoenix — with two new factories, including one with more advanced technology — became a symbol of President Biden’s quest to spur more domestic production of chips, the slices of silicon that help all manner of devices make calculations and store data. Then last summer, TSMC pushed back initial manufacturing at its first Arizona factory to 2025 from this year, saying local workers lacked expertise in installing some sophisticated equipment. Last month, the company said the second plant wouldn’t produce chips until 2027 or 2028, rather than 2026, citing uncertainty about tech choices and federal funding. Progress at the Arizona site partly depends on “how much incentives that the U.S. government can provide,” Mark Liu, TSMC’s chairman, said in an investor call.

Persons: —, Biden’s, TSMC, ” Mark Liu Organizations: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Phoenix Locations: Arizona, U.S, Phoenix —

☆ TSMC delays its $40 billion chip project in Arizona, now to be completed in 2027 or 2028
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-19 | by ( Michelle Toh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

It’s the second time TSMC (TSM), the world’s largest chipmaker, has been forced to push back its plans in the western US state. It announced in 2022 that it would build a second semiconductor plant in Arizona, adding to plans for an existing fab and raising its overall investment in the state from $12 billion to $40 billion. TSMC is also considering whether to open a second facility in Japan. “The second fab in Japan is in serious evaluation stage,” and the firm is holding talks with the government, according to Liu. It cited a boon for the global semiconductor industry from “the rising emergence of generative AI-related applications,” which include popular platforms such as ChatGPT.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — TSMC, Joe Biden’s, Mark Liu, Liu, Biden, TSMC, “, C.C, Wei Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Global, Apple, Nvidia Locations: Hong Kong, Arizona, Hsinchu, Taiwan, Dresden, Germany, Europe, Japan, Kumamoto, New York, Taipei

The instruction by TSMC, which is grappling with delays at its $40 billion chip factory in Arizona, is aimed at controlling costs and reflects the company's growing caution about the outlook for demand, the sources said. Suppliers currently expect the delay to be short-term, the sources said, declining to be named as the information is not public. Companies affected by the instruction to delay include Dutch firm ASML (ASML.AS), which makes lithography equipment essential for high-end chipmaking, one of the sources said. ASM International (ASMI.AS), a smaller equipment firm that is also a supplier to TSMC, fell 4.2% with BE Semiconductor (BESI.AS), a packaging equipment firm, down 2.4%. CHIP CYCLE WORRIESThe Taiwanese chip giant is not alone in worrying a bounce back in demand may take longer than expected.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, TSMC, chipmaker, C.C, Wei, Peter Wennink, We've, Wennink, they're, Mark Liu, Sam Nussey, Fanny Potkin, Toby Sterling, Miyoung Kim, Stephen Coates Organizations: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, REUTERS, Suppliers, Reuters, ASM, BE Semiconductor, Apple, Media, Huawei, Analysts, chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp, HK, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, SINGAPORE, AMSTERDAM, Arizona, China, Taiwan, Beijing, Washington, Tokyo, Singapore, Amsterdam

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC) logo is seen while people attend the opening of the TSMC global R&D center in Hsinchu, Taiwan July 28, 2023. In the past five months the improvement has been tremendous," TSMC Chairman Mark Liu said of the Arizona project last week. The $40 billion investment in Arizona allows TSMC to add capacity outside Taiwan, where it faces constraints on land, power, water and labour. "A lot of machines cannot be shut down because it costs TSMC to recalibrate on rebooting," said a chip industry executive. While many equipment and materials makers already have global operations, to meet its exacting standards TSMC has also brought suppliers to Japan from Taiwan, the sources said.

Persons: Ann Wang, TSMC, Mark Liu, Lucy Chen, Brady Wang, Sam Nussey, Fanny Potkin, Sarah Wu, Miho Uranaka, Jamie Freed Organizations: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, REUTERS, TSMC, Reuters, Isaiah Research, Sony, Ministry, Economy, Trade, Industry, Thomson Locations: Hsinchu, Taiwan, Japan, TOKYO, SINGAPORE, TAIPEI, Arizona, Kyushu, U.S, Germany, TSMC

☆ TSMC to decide this week whether to invest in Arm IPO
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A smartphone with a displayed TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) logo is placed on a computer motherboard in this illustration taken March 6, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Sept 6 (Reuters) - TSMC (2330.TW), the world's largest contract chipmaker, will decide this week whether to invest in chip designer Arm Holdings' blockbuster initial public offering (IPO), Chairman Mark Liu said on Wednesday. Speaking on the sidelines of the SEMICON Taiwan summit, Liu said his company was still evaluating the matter and, when pressed on when a decision may come, he added "this week". "Arm is an important element of our ecosystem, our technology and our customers' ecosystem. I’m sure it will be a very successful project," he said.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Mark Liu, Liu, SoftBank Group's, TSMC, Ben Blanchard, Anne Marie Roantree, Stephen Coates Organizations: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, REUTERS, Rights, Arm Holdings, Apple, Nvidia, Devices, Intel, Samsung Electronics, Thomson Locations: Rights TAIPEI, Taiwan, U.S ., Arizona

☆ The world's largest chipmaker promised to create thousands of US jobs. There are growing tensions over whether US workers have the skills or work ethic to do them.
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Differences in US and Taiwanese work culture could pose another challenge. Some TSMC workers are doubtful that Americans can adjust to the challenging work environment. It's not just a disagreement over expertise that poses risks to TSMC's Arizona chip plant. This is the work culture." It added: "We have not replaced any of our local workers with foreign workers and continue to prioritize the hiring of local workers in Arizona."

Persons: TSMC, chipmaker, It's, Morris Chang, Wayne Chiu, Fortune, they're, Mark Liu, TSMC's, Liu, chipmaker Chang, Adam Ozimek Organizations: Service, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, New York Times, Times, YouTube, Taiwan, Taiwan —, Brookings Institute, Arizona Pipe, Economic Innovation Group Locations: Arizona, Wall, Silicon, Taiwan, Taipei, Taiwanese, Asia, Oregon, America, Phoenix

☆ A feud is heating up between Arizona workers and the world's leading chipmaker after the company claimed the US doesn't have the skills to build its new factory
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Jacob Zinkula | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The company says it needs to bring Taiwanese workers to Arizona to get construction back on track. But construction of TSMC's first Arizona factory, which began in the Phoenix area in 2021, has run into some hiccups. "Replacing Arizona's construction workers with foreign construction workers directly contradicts the very purpose for which the CHIPS Act was enacted – to create jobs for American workers," the petition says. The degree to which American workers can get the job done without additional assistance is up for debate. "It's easily the most unsafe site I've ever walked on," said Luke Kasper, a representative of the sheet metal workers union.

Persons: TSMC, that's, Biden, Mark Liu, Liu, It's, Luke Kasper, TMSC, Morris Chang, Chang, Kevin Xu Organizations: Service, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Arizona Pipe, Google, Facebook, YouTube Locations: Arizona, An Arizona, Wall, Silicon, China, TSMC's, Phoenix, Taiwan, TSMC, Asia

☆ TSMC says skilled worker shortage delays start of Arizona chip production
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

“While the company’s declining revenue and profit were disappointing, its long-term growth prospects remain encouraging,” said Brady Wang, associate director at Counterpoint Research. “The short-term frenzy about the AI demand definitely cannot extrapolate for the long term. Still, the company’s earnings of 181.8 billion Taiwan dollars ($5.85 billion) for the quarter ending in June beat forecasts. “We see TSMC well-positioned for a strong growth outlook in 2024,” Goldman Sachs said in a research note. “We expect a solid 2024-onward outlook on the back of its leading position in AI chip manufacturing,” Citi Research analysts said in a note.

Persons: ”, Brady Wang, Mark Liu, ” Liu, ” Goldman Sachs, “ Organizations: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Counterpoint Research, ”, ” Citi Research Locations: Arizona, Taiwan

☆ One of Wall Street's favorite chipmakers has seen its value tumble as worker shortages and delays dent investor hype
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Phil Rosen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Taiwan Semiconductor is facing business snags that are weighing on its earnings and stock. Get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in business, from Wall Street to Silicon Valley — delivered daily. Unfortunately for TSMC — and the chip sector at large — this doesn't exactly come as a surprise. The PHLX Semiconductor Index dipped more than 3.5% Thursday, with every name in the batch closing in the red. Wall Street, for its part, expects Apple's iPhone sales to drop 4% in the fiscal year up to September, according to the Journal.

Persons: It's, TSMC —, Mark Liu, ChatGPT, TSMC Organizations: Taiwan Semiconductor, Service, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, Nvidia, Semiconductor Industry, Wall Street Journal, PHLX, Investors Locations: Taiwan, Wall, Silicon, Arizona

☆ Apple supplier TSMC delays start of Arizona chip factory
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company will delay production at its new Arizona-based chip plant to 2025 due to a shortage of skilled labor, the company's chairman said on the company's second-quarter earnings call Thursday. Apple has said it plans to use computer chips built at TSMC's Arizona facilities. TSMC Chairman Mark Liu told analysts on an earnings call Thursday that the company does not have enough skilled workers to install advanced equipment at the facility on its initial timeline. Liu said the company is working to send trained technicians from Taiwan to train local workers to help accelerate installation. The U.S. has embarked on a major push to bring semiconductor manufacturing back stateside, including through funding the multi-billion dollar Chips and Science Act to turbocharge development.

Persons: Apple, Mark Liu, Liu Organizations: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, U.S, CNBC, YouTube Locations: Arizona, TSMC's Arizona, Taiwan, U.S, Phoenix

☆ TSMC sending more workers to speed up building of new Arizona plant
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] U.S. President Joe Biden speaks with Chairman of TSMC Mark Liu during a visit to TSMC AZ's first Fab (Semiconductor Fabrication Plant) in P1A (Phase 1A), in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. December 6, 2022. The first Arizona chip fabrication facility, or fab, is scheduled to be operational by 2024. TSMC did not disclose how many workers from Taiwan are currently in Arizona. The additions will not impact the 12,000 workers currently on-site every day or U.S.-based hiring, it added. While TSMC has said the bulk of its manufacturing, especially of the most advanced chips, will remain in Taiwan, it is also building a plant in Japan and considering another one in Germany.

Persons: Joe Biden, Mark Liu, TSMC, Jonathan Ernst, Biden, Ben Blanchard, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: REUTERS, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, Apple Inc, Nvidia Corp, TSMC's, Thomson Locations: P1A, Phoenix , Arizona, U.S, TAIPEI, Taiwan, ., Arizona, Japan, Germany, TSMC's Taipei

☆ TSMC feeling 'good' about possible Germany plant, in talks on subsidies
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-06 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TAIPEI, June 6 (Reuters) - Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC (2330.TW) is feeling "good" about talks over a possible first European factory in Germany and is discussing subsidies with the host country's government, the company's chairman said on Tuesday. TSMC, the world's largest contract chipmaker, has been in talks with the German state of Saxony since 2021 about building a fabrication plant, or "fab," in Dresden. Speaking at the company's annual shareholders meeting, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co's Chairman Mark Liu said the company had already sent executives to Germany a few times for talks on the possible new plant. "So far the feeling is good," he said, adding there were some "gaps" in the supply chain and labour in Germany but these were being addressed. "We are still negotiating with Germany on subsidies, how much the subsidies will be, that there won't be conditions for the support.

Persons: TSMC, Mark Liu, Liu, Faith Hung, Ben Blanchard, Jacqueline Wong, Jamie Freed Organizations: European Union, EU, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, U.S ., Industry, U.S . Department of Commerce, Thomson Locations: TAIPEI, Germany, Saxony, Dresden, Asia, United States, U.S, Arizona

☆ Tech group urges Biden administration to keep child care requirement for chips funding
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Standing against conservative critiques of the Biden administration's conditions on computer chip-manufacturing funding, the tech industry group Chamber of Progress urged the government to maintain its requirements, which include providing child care for workers. MacKenzie said the group aimed to push back on GOP attacks on so-called wokeness in business. But the Commerce Department has maintained that the rules are necessary to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure a stable workforce. "We simply will not be successful in achieving the national security goals of the CHIPS initiative unless we invest in our workforce, period. WATCH: Commerce Department sees more than 200 companies interested in CHIPS Act funds

☆ TSMC to boost capital at Arizona factory by $3.5 bln
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/3] U.S. President Joe Biden listens to Chairman of TSMC Mark Liu during a visit to TSMC AZ's first Fab (Semiconductor Fabrication Plant) in P1A (Phase 1A), in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. December 6, 2022. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/File PhotoTAIPEI, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC (2330.TW) said on Tuesday its board had approved a plan to boost the capital of its chip factory in Arizona by up to $3.5 billion. TSMC in December tripled its planned investment at the Arizona chip plant, which began construction late last year, to $40 billion. The factory, among the largest foreign investments in U.S. history, will start production in 2026, using advanced 3 nm technology. TSMC expects its Phoenix factories to create 13,000 high-tech jobs, including 4,500 under TSMC and the rest at suppliers.

☆ TSMC starts volume production of most advanced chips in Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TAINAN, Taiwan, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd (TSMC)(2330.TW), began mass production of its most advanced chips in southern Taiwan on Thursday and the company's chairman said it would continue to expand capacity on the island. The long-awaited mass production of chips with 3-nanometre technology comes as attention focuses on the world's largest contract chipmaker's investment plans at home and abroad. TSMC has a dominant position as a maker of advanced chips used in technology from cellphones to fighter jets. Taiwan's government has dismissed concerns about a "goodbye to Taiwan" trend for the chip industry, saying the island's position as a major semiconductor producer and maker of the most advanced chips is secure. TSMC said it was working to build factories for the next generation 2-nanometre chips, which were planned to be manufactured in northern and central Taiwan.

☆ TSMC expects $10 billion in annual revenue from Arizona fabs
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Jane Lanhee Lee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PHOENIX, Dec 6 (Reuters) - Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC (2330.TW) on Tuesday estimated annual revenue of $10 billion when its two planned chips fabrication plants open in Arizona. TSMC said Tuesday it was more than tripling its planned investment in the factories to $40 billion. U.S. President Joe Biden and others, including the CEOs of major TSMC customers, are attending a "tool-in" ceremony for the symbolic moving of the first equipment onto the shop floor of the new $12 billion facility. "When completed with both fabs, we will manufacture over 600,000 wafers a year, representing $10 billion in yearly revenue and with our customers product sales over $40 billion a year," said TSMC Chief Executive Mark Liu. Apple Inc (AAPL.O), Nvidia Corp (NVDA.O), and Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD.O), all major TSMC customers, said they expected their chips to be made in the new Arizona plants.

☆ Taiwan-China, U.S.-China tensions 'serious' challenge for chip industry, TSMC says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Sarah Wu | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

HSINCHU, Taiwan, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Rising Taiwan-China and U.S.-China tensions have brought "more serious" challenges for the semiconductor industry, the chairman of Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC (2330.TW) said on Wednesday. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterSpeaking at the Taiwan Semiconductor Industry Association's annual convention, TSMC Chairman Mark Liu said: "The U.S.-China trade conflict and the escalation of cross-Strait tensions have brought more serious challenges to all industries, including the semiconductor industry." In recent years, China's government has "never stopped promoting its domestic semiconductor industry", including chip design, manufacturing, and packaging, he added. The United States has also passed its CHIPS Act to vigorously support local research and development and manufacturing, Liu said. Liu said he looked forward to Taiwan's industry, government and academia developing "more concrete, constructive measures" on industrial policies related to innovation, research, talent education and retention "to maintain Taiwan's most critical semiconductor industry advantages".

☆ Apple chipmaker TSMC reportedly considers Japan expansion as China tensions continue
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Lauren Feiner | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Limited at Hsinchu Science Park. Shares of the world's largest chip maker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company rose as much as 5% on Wednesday morning in Asia after Morgan Stanley recommended the stock. Computer chip manufacturer Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is weighing a potential expansion in Japan as tensions between China and the West continue to create challenges for the company, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. The factory currently under construction in Japan is meant to focus on less-advanced chips used in automobiles, for example, but additional capacity could focus on more-advanced technology, the Journal reported. The U.S. has sought to reduce its reliance on foreign chip manufacturing by passing funding to help promote domestic production facilities.

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