The semiconductor production industry can be roughly divided into two models: one company undertakes the entire process from design, manufacturing to sales, which is called IntegratedDesignandManufacture - IDM is the vertical integration model; A fabless semiconductor company-foundry model that separates complex manufacturing links.

With the rapid improvement of the integration of large-scale integrated circuits, the pressure of investment in both design and manufacturing is also increasing.

The former is better, after all, it is mainly based on intellectual investment, just like Tang Huan's first pot of gold, directly writing a spreadsheet software that meets the requirements of the times, except for staying up a few overnight, the cost is almost negligible.

But the latter needs to rely on real money to smash out a physical factory, and in addition to being responsible for production, it often has to undertake the later work of assembly, testing, packaging, etc. of the manufactured chips, and even includes the scientific research and improvement of its entire process.

In the 21st century, wafer processing is no longer an absolute blocked technology, but in order to build a large-scale wafer factory with the top process, it often needs to invest tens of billions of dollars, and the lithography machine used in the lithography step alone in the entire production process is priced at more than 15 million US dollars.

This kind of burden is not something that ordinary companies can afford, if they want to recover the cost after completion, they can only start work desperately and make full use of the production capacity, but uncontrollable factors such as market changes and supply and demand imbalances are always unavoidable, and the wafer fab capacity is often unable to be filled, and the huge depreciation cost is increasing the operational risk without stopping.

If something unlucky happens again, it will be even more tragic. Samsung's factory, for example, has suffered a power supply accident. Millions of dollars were casually wasted.

Motorola is also going to spin off its semiconductor division to become Freescale by $200 million. This is due to the cost caused by the inability to fully utilize the production capacity.

In 2009, it also spun off its manufacturing division and accepted investment from Abu Dhabi Ventures in the Middle East to form GlobalFoundries.

In 2014, IBM also paid GLOBALFOUNDRIES $1.5 billion and patent rights to take over its own wafer manufacturing equipment due to long-term losses in its own wafer fab and relatively backward manufacturing technology.

As for Japan's six major semiconductors, they have long been spun off by the parent company. and joined one another in vertical and horizontal directions.

The only thing that can play with the IDM model is Intel, which occupies a monopoly position in the market, and even Samsung has to provide foundry services for the processors designed by Apple for iPhones and iPads.

It can be said that the factoryless semiconductor company-wafer foundry model is the general trend of the industry, and Tang Huan naturally wants to take a shortcut directly, only do chip design by himself, and find another partner to be responsible for production.

One of the strategies is to support UMC, which has an official background, and the tuition fees in its growth process will obviously be paid in advance by the owner, and he only needs to form an alliance of interests through stable orders.

Last year, Tang Huan used his own technology and concessions to attract Treasure Island. This year, only one license for Intel's second supplier can make all parties move, obviously. The elevation of status is no longer the same.

Tang Huan made no secret of his appreciation for Cao Xingcheng, and promised in person: "As long as the quality of UMC's products passes, then at least within five years, I have the ability to eat all the memory or CPU, depending on whether you are willing to enter the processor business, if you are not interested, I will go to Singapore or Japan." ”

"I can't guarantee anything else, at least these people here are all working hard to make a big move, but first of all, we must be willing to make this determination and come up with resources to support us." Cao Xingcheng smiled and made a gesture that everyone understood.

"Your opinions must be the most valuable reference, and you will have a positive reaction when you go back." Tang Huan smiled and waved his hand, "I have prepared a little thin banquet, everyone must appreciate it." ”

In the midst of the staggered chatter, Tang Chang found that these elites had performed well in the process of cooperation between Baodao and RCA, the American Radio Corporation, in the process of introducing semiconductor technology in 1976, and it was no wonder that they all wanted to make contributions through UMC.

After entertaining and sending the group away, Tang Huan made a cup of strong tea, and while eliminating the urge to drink, he sorted out their information in his mind.

Don't look at these people are still unknown, but it is impossible to say which one will become the backbone of the industry in a few years, such as Xuan Mingming, who was discovered only by the future, is Cao Xingcheng's main deputy in the future, and was the general manager and vice chairman of UMC, but like Cao Xingcheng, he was forced by Chen Shui-bian with the so-called warship case, and finally resigned from his post and became honorary vice chairman.

In addition, these two industry elites will also be riddled with lace news in the future, such as Xiao Qiang, a well-known Taiwanese model and known as "Xiao Da Beauty", which is said to be very related.

Thinking of this, Tang Huan couldn't help but smile, retracted his wandering thoughts, picked up the cup and took a sip of slightly bitter tea.

At this time, Shi Chongtang, who had just returned from Japan by plane, rushed to the office, reported the progress of the cooperation with Sharp with him, and excitedly brought an unexpected news.

Due to Japan's long-term trade deficit with the United States, there is constant friction between the two, under the pressure of Uncle Sam, the Japanese are naturally unwilling to give in, but they can't help but make a gesture, so they take a fancy to Fangyuan Computer, and plan to purchase 5,000 units for use in educational institutions. Roughly calculated, the value of this order should be around $20 million.

Tang Huan raised his eyebrows, and couldn't help but smile: "Have I recently received a reward for accumulating virtue and doing good, but I was smashed by this pie that fell from the sky." ”

Shi Chongtang also laughed, "Actually, the Japanese are very shrewd, these so-called American products we produce, good multi-device devices are from their own enterprises, not to mention printers, and Fangyuan computers are practical, buying them back is not an ornament, they are actually meeting their own needs, but they have made a compromise statement." ”

Tang Huan nodded, thinking deeply, the Japanese are really very skillful, and it is difficult enough for them, as a dog raised in the United States, he was kicked twice by his owner, and he only dared to snort a few times. This will be illustrated by the Plaza Accord in a few years' time, when the yen has doubled against the dollar. After China's rise, there are also constant trade frictions, but the waist board is obviously much harder.

Anyway, this big bargain will be picked up in his hands first, and Tang Huan is too lazy to understand their inner feelings.

"But in this way, our products have also become the target of public criticism, there are already many companies studying our technology, now such a trouble, they have a common hatred of the posture, there are already people in the newspaper clamoring, just wait until next year, Fangyuan computer will not continue to dominate the Japanese market." Shi Chongtang had a worried look on his face.

Tang Huan waved his hand and said with a smile: "Wait until next year, our 16-bit second-generation Fangyuan computer will be available, and the imitators will follow behind and eat ashes." ”

When Shi Chongtang heard this, his eyes lit up, "Doesn't that mean that there will be jokes to watch when the time comes." ”

Tang Huan bowed slightly, "There is no difficulty in this order, you just arrange it according to the normal process." In addition, seeing that the summer vacation is coming, let's engage in a series of marketing activities, after all, we Chinese generally attach importance to children's education, and it is easier to increase brand value from this aspect. ”

"The whole of Asia-Pacific, or just Greater China?" Shi Chongtang also agreed with this idea.

"Greater China." Tang Huan sighed slightly, "Including college students in the activity can be regarded as giving them a chance to earn some tuition, continue to use the star route, Deng Lijun should return to the treasure island around September, and build momentum by the way." ”

Shi Chongtang showed a clear look on his face, he naturally knew some of his boss's secrets, "Okay, I'll let the marketing department make a plan according to this general policy." ”

The two chatted for a while, but couldn't help but relish the pie that fell from the world in Japan again.

Tang Huan couldn't keep up with UMC's progress, so after he asked Shi Chongtang to pay attention, he flew to Singapore to do something both public and private.

The representatives of Italy SGS and France Thomson have finished the inspection and left, although Tang Huan did not catch up, but got a good result, the other party intends to build a joint venture factory, which is enough.

Tang Huan talked to Huang Gancheng about finding a place to live, and the other party agreed, "We belong to the world, we must be our own business, you just have to rest assured, and the official will definitely be willing to give convenience." ”

"Since I've asked for you, of course a hundred can rest assured." Tang Huan looked at the report with a smile, and couldn't help but say in surprise: "Your performance in Australia is good." ”

"Is it good to enjoy the shade with your back against the big tree, you chose the joint venture method so happily, and naturally everyone did their best." Huang Gancheng picked up a curve chart, "If you look at this CGrid statistical data, you can find that Fangyuan computer has been on the market for more than half a year, and all the advantages have been fully revealed, so it has naturally entered a period of rapid growth." ”

"yes." Tang Huan was a little stunned, it seems that the pie that suddenly fell down on the Japanese side is also a logical thing.

So, he told it to the other party as a joke, and Huang Gancheng said in a low voice: "Brother, it goes without saying that your Fangyuan computer is excellent. The key is to be able to support Chinese, which is amazing. After this period of inspection, the official is deeply satisfied and is already considering further large-scale purchases. ”

After Tang Huan heard the news, his spirit was in a trance a little, and he couldn't help but secretly sigh that he was still enjoying doing business with officials. (To be continued......)