Friday, November 15th 2024
TSMC Delays Arizona Facility "Fab 21" Opening to January 2025
TSMC has reportedly postponed the opening ceremony of its Arizona Fab 21 facility, initially planned for December 6, amidst the changing US political landscape. The ceremony is now expected to take place after President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in early 2025, showing that the chipmaker is taking a cautious approach to geopolitical shifts. The delay comes as TSMC finds itself at the intersection of global semiconductor politics. The company has invested heavily in its Arizona operations (estimated at $65 billion total), with Wang Yinglang, deputy general manager of wafer factory operations, leading the project. Despite initial skepticism, Wang's team has maintained an ambitious timeline, with mass production scheduled to begin in the first half of 2025.
Rumors also suggest that TSMC's decision stems from broader concerns about the incoming administration's semiconductor policies. However, TSMC maintains a strong position due to its unmatched technological capabilities, particularly in advanced manufacturing processes, which competitors like Intel and Samsung struggled to achieve. The Arizona facility represents a crucial piece of TSMC's global expansion strategy, which includes new factories in Japan and Germany. While the company faces challenges, including labor issues and rising costs in the US, its strategic importance to the global semiconductor supply chain remains unchanged. The only thing that is changing is the timeline of the opening ceremony, while high-volume production stays on track.
Sources:
DigiTimes, via Tom's Hardware
Rumors also suggest that TSMC's decision stems from broader concerns about the incoming administration's semiconductor policies. However, TSMC maintains a strong position due to its unmatched technological capabilities, particularly in advanced manufacturing processes, which competitors like Intel and Samsung struggled to achieve. The Arizona facility represents a crucial piece of TSMC's global expansion strategy, which includes new factories in Japan and Germany. While the company faces challenges, including labor issues and rising costs in the US, its strategic importance to the global semiconductor supply chain remains unchanged. The only thing that is changing is the timeline of the opening ceremony, while high-volume production stays on track.
17 Comments on TSMC Delays Arizona Facility "Fab 21" Opening to January 2025
I sure hope so
This is clearly a PR move to make Trump happy. Better to delay the opening by a month and open the fab under Trump and give him the credit for better "vibes" or whatever appeases his ego.
I don't blame TSMC, that is a good business move.
One bad earthquake could break all the production.
Remember what happened with HDD prices when Thailand been hit with that awful flood. Link
Hope Europe get's it's factory soon!
My point is: 90% of advanced chips are being made there.
Which is 100% what I generally interested :D
Meanwhile, the Americans building their shiny new factory in one of their driest state.
If they can manage there, we could manage it in Europe.
:toast:
On a side note, Biden needs to stop printing money in general but at these ridiculous sums, holy carp.
Yes, you can make larger wafers and 3D stacks, but you can't fight the increasing power consumption and costs.
So, yeah, it is a dead end, and a new plant in Arizona is a strategic mistake.
Of course, you will be able to make chips for vacuum cleaners, ovens and other stupid things.
interestingengineering.com/innovation/transistors-moores-law