TSMC operates the world's largest semiconductor foundry and is headquartered in Hsinchu, Taiwan.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company was founded in 1987 by Morris Chang. It pioneered the dedicated foundry model, manufacturing chips designed by other companies rather than mainly selling chips under its own consumer brand. This arrangement allowed customers to compete in chip design without building their own fabrication networks.
TSMC produces advanced processors for customers across computing, smartphones, automotive systems, and artificial intelligence. Companies such as Apple, AMD, and Nvidia design important chips that can be manufactured by outside foundries, with TSMC serving as a major supplier. Its scale and advanced process technology have made it one of the world's most valuable listed companies.
“Foundry” can be confused with a chip designer or a semiconductor equipment maker. A foundry fabricates integrated circuits on wafers; it does not necessarily design the finished processor or make the machinery used in production.