TSMC, a major Apple supplier and the world's largest contract chipmaker, is facing challenges in finding skilled workers for its Arizona plant, causing a delay in mass chip production from 2024 to 2025. The facility is TSMC's first U.S. chip plant in over two decades. In a Q2 earnings call, Chairman Mark Liu revealed that the shortage of skilled workers has caused delays in installing advanced equipment. - Liu said the company is working on sending skilled technicians from Taiwan to train local workers and ramp up equipment installation.
- Operating costs in Arizona are higher compared to chip production in Taiwan, he noted.
- Apple, a major customer of TSMC, plans to use chips produced at the Arizona plant, as do Nvidia and AMD.
- It's the first time in nearly a decade that Apple will source chips in the U.S. as it seeks to shift away from Asia-based manufacturing.
TSMC previously said it would start producing 4-nanometer chips at the Arizona factory in 2024. - A second fab, slated to come online in 2026, is set to produce the smallest and most advanced 3-nanometer chips.
- Apple is expected to use the 4nm and 3nm processes for certain future M-series and A-series chips for iPhones, Macs, iPads, and more.
- Overall, TSMC plans to invest at least $40B in its U.S. capacity. It's aiming for 600,000 wafers a year by 2026, enough to meet all U.S. demand for advanced microchips.
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