TAIPEI, Taiwan — Major Taiwan computer chip maker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. plans to invest $100 billion in the next three years in expanding its manufacturing capacity and supporting research and development, the company said Thursday.
The world’s biggest contract producer of semiconductors, TSMC TSM,
“TSMC is working closely with our customers to address their needs in a sustainable manner,” the company said in an emailed statement. It did not give further details about planned investments.
TSMC makes processor chips for major brands like Apple Inc. AAPL,
Intel INTC,
Most semiconductors used in smartphones, medical equipment, computers and other products are made in Taiwan, South Korea and China.
Last week, Intel announced plans to pour $20 billion into expanding production, building two new factories in Arizona. The company is building up its foundry business but lags behind TSMC in developing a next-generation chip-making process.
TSMC operates a semiconductor wafer fabrication facility in Camas, Wash., and design centers in San Jose, Calif., and Austin, Texas.
It has announced plans to invest $3.5 billion in a second U.S. manufacturing site, in North Phoenix, Ariz., as concern grows over heavy American reliance on sources in Asia for high-tech components.
