The car giant started by marrying the daughter of the king

"Boss Wang, the ministry has officially rejected our equipment purchase application."

"They suggested that we readjust our equipment procurement plan and give priority to domestically produced equipment when it is available."

As the chief engineer of the Microelectronics United Corporation, Zhao Dongfang is in charge of the procurement of production lines for the new factory this time.

As the domestic economic situation improves, equipment purchases from many manufacturers have been approved.

He thought that this time he would finally have the opportunity to launch a new production line.

Unexpectedly, I was beaten back again.

He must report this kind of thing to Wang Honggui immediately.

"We purchased several key equipment in the complete set of equipment for producing 3-micron process chips."

“Are there any domestic manufacturers that can produce these devices?”

"Just like the lithography machines, the ones produced by domestic manufacturers are all junk chips that can only be used in low-end toys."

"Can we go shopping?"

Wang Honggui said this in displeasure.

He is very unhappy now.

He had already seen the news yesterday that Lingnan Semiconductor was investing in building a new factory.

Although it is not said what technological breakthroughs the new factory has achieved, it is worth considering that the other party was already ahead of Microelectronics United Corporation.

The situation this time is definitely not optimistic.

At this juncture, their superiors rejected their company's procurement application.

What does it mean?
Are you still going to let people work?

"Boss Wang, our superiors have suggested that we go to the Shenzhen Industrial Equipment Park to look for relevant manufacturers for inspection."

“It is said that most of the equipment in Lingnan Semiconductor’s new factory is produced in this industrial park.”

When Zhao Dongfang said this, Wang Honggui frowned immediately, "Is the photolithography machine also produced there?"

For chip processing equipment, the most technically difficult one is the lithography machine.

If this product can't be done well, then even if other products are done well, it won't be that meaningful.

"It is said that it is!"

Although Zhao Dongfang was still skeptical about the situation, he thought that there was no reason for his superiors to deceive him.

Especially since the groundbreaking ceremony for Lingnan Semiconductor’s new factory has just been held, this news shouldn’t be false.

After all, whether it is true or false can be easily verified later.

"The industrial equipment park in Shenzhen was originally built around the development of Nanshan Equipment and BMW Group."

"I heard that Nanshan Equipment is developing semiconductor production equipment such as lithography machines. Could it be that they have made a technological breakthrough?"

After pondering for a moment, Wang Honggui thought of a possibility.

Only this situation can explain the current situation.

"I'm not sure yet, but I think I can consider visiting Nanshan Equipment."

"As long as we communicate clearly with their people, we will basically understand the situation in the industrial equipment park."

"If Nanshan Equipment can really produce the lithography machines and other products we need, then purchasing from them is not out of the question."

Zhao Dongfang naturally knew who was behind Nanshan Equipment.

Although he doesn't like Lingnan Semiconductor, he won't go against his own future.

When domestic production is possible, he still insists on purchasing from abroad. The organization may arrange people to investigate him.

"You should contact the other party first, put forward our ideas and needs, and see their reaction first."

"If they can really produce it, then we will go over to investigate and exchange ideas."

Wang Honggui felt uncomfortable all over, but there was not much he could do.

At least this time their equipment procurement should be successful.

……

"Mr. Zhang, Lingnan Semiconductor has invested in a new factory."

"But I asked around with ASML, Canon and Nikon, and I haven't heard that Lingnan Semiconductor has approached them to purchase lithography machines recently."

TSMC has always attached great importance to the situation of Lingnan Semiconductor in recent years.

So far, there are only two manufacturers in the world, TSMC and Lingnan Semiconductor, that are engaged in chip foundry business.

It can be said that they are the most direct competitors.

Especially in the competition for Intel's CPU foundry business, Lingnan Semiconductor has already snatched orders from TSMC.

This made Zeng Fanchen very unhappy.

"At present, the international lithography equipment market is basically occupied by these three companies."

"The manufacturers in the United States have gradually become second-tier suppliers, supplying some parts to ASML and other manufacturers."

"If Lingnan Semiconductor doesn't purchase lithography machines from these three manufacturers, where else can it purchase them from?"

Zhang Zhong put down the documents in his hand and a puzzled expression appeared on his face.

"There is a rumor that most of Lingnan Semiconductor's new production lines, including lithography machines, are produced by itself."

"In this case, it means that Nanshan Equipment has broken through the limitations of lithography machines and achieved certain results."

As someone who pays close attention to Lingnan Semiconductor, Zeng Fanchen naturally knows a lot about Nanshan Equipment.

There were even rumors that Nanshan Equipment was developing its own lithography machines, but because no products had been released, no one paid much attention to it.

It's different now.

If Nanshan Equipment really develops a lithography machine, the significance will be very different.

"The production of lithography machines is very difficult. ASML has made a major breakthrough in lithography machines after years of hard work and with the help of Philips and a series of suppliers."

“Eventually we will become a manufacturer that can stand on equal footing with Canon and Nikon.”

"The level of lithography machines in the mainland was very backward before."

"It's a bit abnormal that Nanshan Equipment can achieve a breakthrough so quickly now."

Zhang Zhong was totally unable to understand the information that Nanshan Equipment was able to handle lithography machines.

In his opinion, this was impossible.

"It is possible that the lithography machines produced by Nanshan Equipment are relatively backward, for example, lithography machines that can only produce chips with a 5-micron process."

"Because I noticed that this time, there was no news about the new factory of Lingnan Semiconductor going into production that mentioned how many micron process the new factory's technology level could reach."

"According to normal understanding, if there is a new breakthrough, Lingnan Semiconductor will definitely continue to publicize it."

“Even if they can achieve 1.5-micron process, they will not not advertise it at all.”

"But right now there is no information about this, which is a bit unusual."

Zeng Fanchen thought of a possibility.

To some extent, the possibility he mentioned is closer to the truth.

"Even if it is a 5-micron process lithography machine, it is a huge breakthrough."

"It is very likely that they will be able to develop more advanced lithography machines in the future." "By then, their advantages in the field of mature processes will explode."

I have to say that Zhang Zhongmou's sense of crisis and vision are both very strong.

In the chip industry, the most eye-catching products are those with advanced processes.

However, what really supports production are products with mature processes.

If this market is taken away by Lingnan Semiconductor, it will definitely be bad news for TSMC.

"I'll try to find out more. I should be able to find out some specific details."

"After all, if they really develop the equipment, they must find a way to sell it to the outside world."

"Lingnan Semiconductor alone cannot meet the development needs of Nanshan Equipment."

After Zeng Fanchen said this, Zhang Zhong naturally had no objection.

"Not only do we need to inquire about this information, but we also need to share this with ASML, Canon and Nikon."

“Let them know that Lingnan Semiconductor is not their customer, but their competitor.”

Zhang Zhong's trick is obviously quite vicious.

He wanted to make sure that Lingnan Semiconductor would never be able to buy equipment from these lithography machine giants in the future.

This will limit the further development of Lingnan Semiconductor.

In time, when TSMC's technological advantage becomes great enough, Lingnan Semiconductor will no longer pose any threat.

……

"President, Lingnan Semiconductor has started building a new factory in China. It is estimated that the production capacity will double directly."

"We have also learned from our investigation that the other party has a lot of land reserves and will probably continue to build new factories in the future."

"They have come up with so many moves in just a few years. I think they are a huge threat to us."

As the head of Samsung Electronics' marketing department, Kim Tae is now feeling a huge crisis.

In 1980, Samsung's semiconductor division was incorporated into Samsung Electronics, laying the organizational foundation for the subsequent development of the chip business.

At that time, the personal computer and server markets were growing rapidly, and the demand for memory increased significantly. Samsung relied on its technological strength and production capabilities.

It began to emerge in the field of memory chips and gradually became one of the major suppliers in the global DRAM market.

At the same time, Samsung Electronics actively invested in research and development in the 80s to continuously improve its chip manufacturing technology.

Especially in the development of large-size wafer technology, Samsung Electronics is in a leading position in the world.

China is still producing 4-inch wafers, but Samsung Electronics is already producing 8-inch wafers.

They have even made some breakthroughs in the development of 12-inch wafer technology.

By using large-size silicon wafers to expand production, we have improved production efficiency, reduced costs, and gained an advantage in the competition.

However, these are mainly because Samsung Electronics has huge cost advantages compared to semiconductor manufacturers in the United States and Japan.

If compared with Chinese manufacturers, it may not be the case.

After all, China's competitiveness in the same type of products is very scary.

Now Samsung Electronics has the confidence to win because of its certain technological advantages.

And their advantage mainly lies in memory. In terms of other chips, their current strength is just that.

"Has Lingnan Semiconductor received another foundry order from that chip giant?"

Li Jianxi feels that his semiconductor development strategy at Samsung Electronics is already quite radical.

But now TSMC and Lingnan Semiconductor have emerged in Asia, and their actions are becoming more radical, which makes him very uncomfortable.

When did investing in a semiconductor factory become as easy as investing in a garment factory?

"I haven't heard any rumors about this yet, but they have cooperated with Intel and Texas Instruments, and are also actively contacting other chip giants."

“So the existing factory capacity is probably already relatively high.”

Li Jianxi was not particularly satisfied with Jin Tai's answer.

"You should find out the details of Lingnan Semiconductor. I feel they will be our important competitor in the future."

"Especially now that the company is considering entering the Chinese market, it will be even more necessary to understand the specific situation of the Chinese market at that time."

There is such a huge potential market right next door, and Samsung Electronics cannot give up.

Whether it is the semiconductor business or other businesses such as home appliances, Samsung Electronics wants to take a big piece of the Chinese market.

To this end, Samsung Electronics has already set up an office in China in advance.

Even a factory has begun construction in the land of Qilu.

……

"Grove, I suggest that the company further expand its chip foundry business, and that its own factories only be responsible for advanced process research and product production."

"This can reduce the cost of chip production to the greatest extent."

As Intel's chief financial officer, Barack looks at various financial statements every day, trying to find ways to increase the company's profit margin.

Over the years, in order to ensure that Intel maintains its position as the industry leader, the company has invested a lot of money in research and development.

The Finance Department naturally also felt the pressure.

To this end, Barack personally took the lead in promoting a series of cost-cutting plans within the company.

Among them, the development of chip foundry business is a very important measure.

In particular, the foundry production of mid- and low-end chips is of paramount importance.

"We have now outsourced all of our low-end 286 chips to foundries."

"If we want to expand the scale further, we will have to outsource the 386 as well."

Grove was obviously still a little conflicted.

Although the technology of 386 is inferior to that of 486, its output is still not small.

If this is outsourced, the number of chips produced by Intel itself will drop significantly.

"We now have two models of 386, one with a 1.5-micron process and the other with a 1-micron process."

"We can first take out the 1.5-micron 386 chip and have it manufactured by TSMC or Lingnan Semiconductor."

“Both of them have the production capacity for this process.”

Barack doesn't have any special affection for TSMC or Lingnan Semiconductor, nor is there any deal behind it.

He simply thought that after outsourcing this chip to a foundry, the cost could be reduced by more than 30%.

This is all extra profit.

By then, this part of the profit can greatly make up for Intel's R&D investment in the new generation of chips.

"Talk to the technical and purchasing departments. If both departments have no objection, then outsource the 386 chips to a foundry."

Grove naturally understood why Barack made such a proposal to him.

He didn't have much reason to object.

After all, as a professional manager, he is also responsible for the company's stocks and profits.

These things are closely related to his personal income. (End of this chapter)