TSMC manufactures the Apple-designed chips used in recent iPhones and Macs.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is the world's largest dedicated semiconductor foundry. A foundry manufactures chips designed by other companies, allowing customers such as Apple to focus on architecture, software, and product design rather than operating their own leading-edge fabrication network.
TSMC was founded in Taiwan in 1987 by Morris Chang. Its pure-play foundry model helped transform the semiconductor industry by separating chip design from chip manufacturing. The company produces advanced processors for smartphones, computers, servers, automobiles, and artificial-intelligence systems.
Apple designs chips such as the A-series and M-series, but TSMC fabricates them. This distinction matters: Apple is the chip designer and product company, while TSMC is the manufacturer. TSMC's strategic importance and rapid growth have helped make it one of the world's most valuable companies.