Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC), the world's largest contract chip maker, announced on June 29 that it is dispatching additional workers from Taiwan to its upcoming facility in Arizona, USA. The move aims to accelerate the construction of the massive $40bn factory and ensure a swift ramp-up of operations.
President Joe Biden has been actively promoting domestic semiconductor production to address the supply chain disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in chip shortages for various industries.
The first chip fabrication facility, known as a fab, in Arizona, is expected to become operational by 2024. TSMC plans to follow it up with a second facility nearby, dedicated to producing 3-nanometer chips—the most advanced chips currently in production—by 2026.
TSMC has not disclosed the exact number of workers currently in Arizona from Taiwan, nor has it confirmed the additional number of employees being deployed. However, the company emphasized that these workers will be in the state for a limited time and will complement the existing workforce of 12,000 individuals present at the construction site on a daily basis. TSMC also clarified that the new deployments will not impact the ongoing hiring process within the United States.
"Given we are now in a critical phase handling all of the most advanced and dedicated equipment in a sophisticated facility, we require skilled expertise," TSMC explained in a statement.
TSMC's investment in the Arizona facility aligns with president Biden's objective of enhancing domestic semiconductor production to mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities. In December of last year, president Biden even visited the construction site to demonstrate his support.
While the majority of TSMC's manufacturing will remain in Taiwan, especially for the production of advanced chips, the company is also constructing a plant in Japan and contemplating the establishment of another facility in Germany.
As a major supplier to tech giants such as Apple Inc and Nvidia Corp, TSMC plays a crucial role in global semiconductor supply chains. The company's commitment to expanding its presence in the United States reinforces the nation's semiconductor capabilities and reduces reliance on foreign chip manufacturers.
On the stock market, TSMC's Taipei-listed shares experienced a marginal decline of 0.2% on June 29, underperforming the overall market, which remained relatively stable. Nonetheless, TSMC shares have recorded a 28% increase since the beginning of this year.
As TSMC continues to make significant strides in constructing its Arizona plant, the collaboration between Taiwan and the United States in semiconductor manufacturing is poised to fortify domestic supply chains and contribute to the advancement of cutting-edge technologies worldwide.
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