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Both are pretty difficult models to pull off because none of the above has the edge Taiwan has, which is cheap skilled labor. Until you can match labor cost wi
by jtriangle 3y ago
Both are pretty difficult models to pull off because none of the above has the edge Taiwan has, which is cheap skilled labor.
Until you can match labor cost with automation, it's DOA, regardless of how good your fabs are, and the automation isn't there yet.
- aembleton 3y agoCould provide subsidies like we do with farming.
- resolutebat 3y agoGenuine question: is labor cost really that important for cutting-edge fabs? I would have assumed the tooling would be far more expensive.
- cm2187 3y agoI am doubtful as well. We are told these factories cost 10s of billions to build though the number of people on the floor doesn't seem very different than any other factory. I find that hard to believe that labour is a primary driver.
- FooBarWidget 3y agoIf you read a couple of articles featuring what TSMC said, then it's clear that work culture/ethic is a major reason why they have so much trouble getting their Arizona plant running. This work ethic is at least in some part related to cost: they expect long, possibly unpaid, overtime.
- jtriangle 3y agoYes, but you amortize the cost of the tooling out over the lifetime of the tooling, and you're paying on a loan for that. Labor is an ongoing, and increasing cost, not just wages, but also insurance, payroll taxes, etc. Also remember the tooling is a fixed cost, it'll cost you (many) millions in Taiwan the same as it will in Japan or the US, so the cost of skilled labor is what ultimately affects your margins.
- rgmerk 3y agoAre Taiwanese labour costs significantly lower than Japan these days?
- visarga 3y agoTaiwan educated generations of people into this field, Japan probably has higher costs to hire in the same sector or simply doesn't have the people.