TSMC engineers rushed to the United States, the reason behind it exposed

According to news in early November, TSMC has sent 300 employees on charter flights to the United States, and there will be another 6 charter flights in the next few months to send a total of more than 1,000 engineers and their families to the United States.

According to reports, the engineers sent by TSMC to the United States are not only the main force of the company's Arizona fab, but also key talents in the revitalization of the semiconductor industry in the United States.

According to the latest news, Feng Media reported that TSMC has to go through at least two interviews to go to the United States. The main focus of the interviews is English ability and past performance, and it needs the approval and recommendation of two assistant managers. In addition, a senior engineer who went to Phoenix City for selection revealed that the company’s engineer-level employees are eager to compete for overseas assignments to the United States. Although the consumer prices and tax rates in the United States are high, TSMC’s double basic salary for employees going to the United States is not very attractive, but Going to the United States to experience life is the key point, and the potential for promotion in the company in the future is also greater than others.

In terms of remuneration and subsidies, the report pointed out that the basic salary of TSMC’s engineers in the United States is doubled, and the dividends will remain the same as that distributed in Taiwan, China. As for residence, employees can choose to live in the dormitory provided by the company. The location is in Lugu not far from the factory. (Deer Valley) community, the monthly rent for employees is US$1,800, and the company provides a monthly subsidy of US$2,000; in addition, if the children in the family enter school age, they can study locally. Taking children aged 2-5 as an example, the monthly tuition can be subsidized $700.

It is reported that TSMC's Arizona fab will hold a "first machine transfer" ceremony in early December. According to market news, TSMC will invite US President Biden to attend. In this regard, TSMC did not confirm, but only stated that it plans to invite guests including customers, suppliers, academics and government representatives in December to celebrate the important milestone of the first batch of machinery and equipment arriving at the factory.

TSMC pointed out that with the arrival of machinery and equipment, it means that the factory building has been partially completed, and it will be ready to move into the first batch of cutting-edge equipment for semiconductor manufacturing; the 5-nanometer factory in Arizona started about 18 months ago. The progress is as expected, and mass production will start in 2024, with a monthly production capacity of 20,000 pieces.

It is understood that the "settlement" of TSMC has also brought major benefits to the local area. The Phoenix Economic Development Promotion Association (GPEC) estimates that the plant will create nearly 4,300 direct and indirect employment opportunities within 10 years, which is equivalent to Add another 20% to the number of semiconductor jobs in the region. At the same time, local housing prices have also "increased." According to the survey, the median house price in the Phoenix area has risen from US$290,000 in 2020 to nearly US$450,000 in October this year.

Regarding TSMC's establishment of a factory in the United States, the founder Zhang Zhongmou also publicly responded to questions about overseas investment at a meeting a few days ago. Zhang Zhongmou said that he would not reject moving some advanced production capacity to the United States for production, and it is also possible to transfer 3nm to regions outside Taiwan, China, such as U.S.

It is reported that Zhang Zhongmou said that there is a plan now, but it has not been fully finalized. It should be said that it is almost finalized, that is, in the same state of Arizona. Zhang Zhongmou also said: "3nm is phase 2 (the second stage), and 5nm is phase 1 (the first stage)."

According to industry insiders, in addition to the original 5nm process 20,000-piece production capacity T1, the Arizona foundry has added a 3nm process 20,000-piece production capacity T2, and is currently beginning to arrange manpower planning. He also said that TSMC is also considering building a third fab in Virginia on the East Coast of the United States.