TSMC manufactures advanced chips for Apple, Nvidia, and many other major technology companies.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, commonly called TSMC, was founded in Taiwan in 1987 by Morris Chang. It pioneered the dedicated semiconductor foundry model: customers design chips, while TSMC manufactures them for multiple clients.
This model allowed companies such as Apple and Nvidia to develop advanced processors without owning their own leading-edge fabrication plants. TSMC’s manufacturing processes are used in smartphones, data-center equipment, automobiles, and other electronic products.
TSMC is different from a chip designer such as Nvidia and from an integrated manufacturer such as Intel. Its strategic importance comes from its scale, process technology, and role in global supply chains. Its market capitalization reflects investor expectations about semiconductor demand as well as current earnings.