Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is based in Taiwan. TSMC pioneered the dedicated semiconductor foundry model, manufacturing chips designed by other companies rather than mainly selling chips under its own consumer brand.
Morris Chang founded TSMC in 1987 with support from the government of Taiwan and the private sector. The company established its headquarters and major operations in Hsinchu, a city that became a central hub of Taiwan's technology industry. TSMC later expanded manufacturing and research operations internationally.
Its customers have included leading chip designers, while its advanced manufacturing processes support processors used in smartphones, computers, vehicles, and artificial-intelligence systems. TSMC's strategic importance and strong demand for advanced chips have helped make it one of Asia's most valuable listed companies. Taiwan is the country; Hsinchu is the important city most closely linked with its origins.