TSMC Founder's "Divine Prophecy" Completely Hits Talent | Zhang Zhongmou | Founder
According to Taiwan's China Times News on July 23, TSMC founder Zhang Zhongmou's "divine prophecy" has been fully realized, and TSMC's US factory production will be delayed.
TSMC recently stated that its Arizona plant in the United States is currently facing some challenges due to a shortage of skilled installation personnel, and the production time of the 4-nanometer process will be postponed from the end of 2024 to 2025. Previously, Zhang Zhongmou was not optimistic about setting up factories in the United States, believing that manufacturing costs were too high and there was a lack of relevant talent. He bluntly stated that it was "expensive, wasteful, and a waste of time".
According to reports, TSMC held an online corporate briefing on the 20th and once again lowered its operating target for this year. It is estimated that the decline in revenue in US dollars may expand to 10%.
As for the progress of setting up overseas factories, Chairman Liu Deyin admitted that wafer factories in Arizona, USA are facing some challenges. In semiconductor facilities, there is a shortage of skilled professionals who can install equipment. The 4-nanometer production schedule will be extended from the end of 2024 to 2025, while the Japanese factory production schedule remains unchanged and will be produced by the end of 2024 according to the established plan.
In fact, Zhang Zhongmou has repeatedly warned that going to a beauty factory lacks talent and the cost is too high. Last April, he mentioned that the United States has outstanding global talent in chip design, but faces a serious talent shortage in chip manufacturing.
A reader on "Zhongshi News Network" left a message stating that based on his experience working at Texas Instruments, after the completion of a new factory, all major process departments need to seamlessly integrate before starting trial production and achieving the yield target before it can officially operate. Among them, the biggest variable factors are the training, operational maturity, and team spirit of American employees, but unfortunately, team communication and cooperation are the most difficult tasks for Americans. He questioned whether TSMC's US factory could reach the level of Taiwan's factory by 2025.
US media pointed out that TSMC's delayed production schedule at its Arizona plant may threaten President Biden's campaign promise of "American made chips", as TSMC's delayed production of chips does not bode well for Biden, who is seeking re-election, as it is already after the US presidential election.