TSMC is the world’s largest contract chipmaker by manufacturing capacity.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, commonly called TSMC, was founded in Taiwan in 1987 by Morris Chang. It pioneered the dedicated semiconductor foundry model, manufacturing chips designed by other companies rather than primarily selling chips under its own consumer brand.
This separation allows customers such as fabless chip designers to concentrate on architecture and product development while TSMC operates advanced fabrication plants. Its customers have included major technology companies and designers of processors for smartphones, servers, graphics, and artificial intelligence.
TSMC is not the same kind of business as a fabless designer such as Nvidia or Qualcomm. It also differs from integrated manufacturers that design and make their own chips. The company’s strategic importance comes from its advanced process technology, huge capital investment, and role in global semiconductor supply chains.