Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has confirmed that its first advanced U.S. chip plant is nearing completion, despite initial delays and rising costs. The $20 billion facility in Arizona will supply chips to Apple, among other major customers.
The 2 million square-foot plant, which broke ground in 2021, has faced numerous challenges, including labor shortages and water scarcity. However, TSMC has implemented measures to address these issues, such as recycling up to 65% of the 4.7 million gallons of water it uses daily.
TSMC’s president for Arizona, Rose Castanares, acknowledged that “semiconductors is a very tough technology” and that the company had to bring in experts from Taiwan to learn how to manufacture chips in the U.S.
The plant’s completion has been delayed several times, but TSMC remains committed to its goal of hiring at least 6,000 workers by the time all three fabs are completed. The company is actively recruiting engineers and technicians at universities across the U.S.
TSMC’s global footprint continues to expand, with new facilities in Japan and Germany. Despite the challenges, the company’s president, Castanares, believes that “there’s room for lots of fabs” and plans to continue investing in the U.S. chip industry.
The partnership between TSMC and Apple has been instrumental in bringing advanced chip production to the U.S., with the tech giant committing to purchasing chips from the plant. However, the relationship is complex, with some TSMC chips found in Huawei devices despite bans on selling to the Chinese company.
Intel, another major player in the U.S. chip industry, has also faced delays and challenges, but its partnership with TSMC remains strong. The two companies meet weekly to discuss production and feedback, with TSMC providing training and support to Intel’s engineers.
Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/13/inside-tsmcs-new-chip-fab-where-apple-will-make-chips-in-the-us-.html