Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), founded in 1987, is the world’s largest and most advanced semiconductor foundry, headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan. TSMC specializes in manufacturing chips for a wide range of industries, including electronics, automotive, and telecommunications. As the leading pure-play foundry, TSMC produces integrated circuits (ICs) for other companies rather than designing its own chips. This has allowed it to work with a wide array of technology giants like Apple, NVIDIA, AMD, and Qualcomm.
CEO and Founder of TSMC – Morris Chang
TSMC was founded by Morris Chang in 1987. With an illustrious career in the semiconductor industry, Morris Chang established TSMC as the first dedicated semiconductor foundry in the world. His vision was to create a company that could manufacture chips for other design companies, a business model that revolutionized the industry. Chang’s leadership positioned TSMC at the forefront of semiconductor technology, and under his guidance, the company grew to become the largest contract chipmaker in the world.
Today, C.C. Wei serves as the CEO of TSMC, following Chang’s retirement. Wei has played a crucial role in maintaining TSMC’s global leadership by focusing on technological advancements and capacity expansion to meet the increasing demand for semiconductor manufacturing.
List of Top Companies Collaborating with TSMC
TSMC works with many of the biggest tech companies globally, helping them manufacture advanced semiconductor chips. Here’s a list of some of the top companies that depend on TSMC for chip production, along with the estimated value of their contracts with TSMC:
| Company Name | Collaboration Year | Estimated Contract Value | Industry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple | Since 2011 | $17 Billion (2023) | Consumer Electronics |
| NVIDIA | Since 2005 | $7 Billion (2023) | Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) |
| Qualcomm | Since 2006 | $4.5 Billion (2023) | Telecommunications Chips |
| AMD | Since 2019 | $6 Billion (2023) | Processors for Computers |
| MediaTek | Since 2002 | $2 Billion (2023) | Mobile and IoT Chipsets |
| Broadcom | Since 2005 | $3 Billion (2023) | Networking Chips |
| Sony | Since 2017 | $1.5 Billion (2023) | Camera Sensors |
| Tesla | Since 2020 | $1 Billion (2023) | Automotive Chips |
| Intel | Since 2021 | $2 Billion (2023) | Processor Manufacturing |
FAQs About TSMC
Q1: When was TSMC founded, and by whom?
A: TSMC was founded in 1987 by Morris Chang, who revolutionized the semiconductor industry with the concept of a dedicated foundry.
Q2: Who is the current CEO of TSMC?
A: C.C. Wei is the current CEO of TSMC, having taken over leadership after Morris Chang’s retirement.
Q3: What makes TSMC a leader in semiconductor manufacturing?
A: TSMC is the leader in advanced semiconductor manufacturing processes, including 7nm, 5nm, and 3nm nodes, which are critical for high-performance and energy-efficient chips.
Q4: Which major tech companies rely on TSMC for chip production?
A: Major companies like Apple, NVIDIA, Qualcomm, AMD, and Tesla depend on TSMC for their semiconductor needs, as it offers cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities.
Q5: What is TSMC’s role in the global chip shortage?
A: TSMC has been crucial in addressing the global chip shortage by expanding its production capacity and increasing output, especially in the automotive and electronics industries.
Q6: What is TSMC’s contribution to Taiwan’s economy?
A: TSMC is one of the largest contributors to Taiwan’s economy, driving growth in its technology sector and creating thousands of jobs, while cementing Taiwan’s status as a global semiconductor hub.
