Chapter 425 Moore's Law and Old Sun's Curiosity
"Because Hong Kong Island may not have the supporting environment and talent reserve foundation for the semiconductor industry that you need... The conditions are not as good as here in Singapore. Dr. Zhang, when the conditions are mature, we will simply go to the mainland to invest directly!"
Li Xiaofan explained vaguely.
In fact, it was because Li Xiaofan knew the story from the past: Dr. Zhang’s chip project in his previous life was once considered to be located on Hong Kong Island. But at that time, many people in Hong Kong thought that Dr. Zhang’s project was a real estate project with technology packaging as a gimmick. They rejected Dr. Zhang’s chip on the grounds that Dr. Zhang used the chip project to “speculate real estate and land.” project.
In fact, many local real estate developers at that time were afraid that the large amount of land acquired by Dr. Zhang’s chip project would infringe on their interests...
Academician Ni was a little anxious when he heard Li Xiaofan say that Dr. Zhang's first chip factory would be located in Singapore. Later, when I heard Li Xiaofan analyze each item in detail, I felt that it made sense. Nothing can be accomplished overnight. It requires the right time, right place, and people, so I said nothing more. After all, Li Xiaofan is the financial owner, so he has the right to speak. Moreover, the step of building a factory in Singapore first is indeed safer and avoids many foreseeable risks...
After listening to Li Xiaofan's explanation, Dr. Zhang felt that Li Xiaofan's idea was feasible.
Because he stayed in Singapore for two full years from 1992 to 1994 to build TECH, a four-party joint venture chip project. He knew Singapore very well, was familiar with everyone at the top, and was quite satisfied with the local supporting facilities and business environment. .
Moreover, at that time, he also persuaded the Singapore government departments such as the Economic Development Board and the Immigration Department to allow them to go to the mainland and recruit more than 300 semiconductor talents to come to TECH's Singapore factory with high-level EP employment passes.
At that time, the starting monthly salary of these jobs in Singapore's semiconductor factories for mainland talents reached more than 1,000 Singapore dollars. At that time, there was a wave of people coming to work in Singapore's semiconductor factories and electronics factories in China. Graduates from those famous universities At one time, people were applying for jobs one after another, and they were all rushing...
These more than 300 semiconductor talents from many well-known key universities in mainland China have grown rapidly after years of training and training. They are now the technical backbone of various departments of the TECH project. In the future, these talents from mainland China will be valuable potential resources.
After Dr. Zhang thought for a while, he said to Li Xiaofan:
"Director Li, after what you said, we can first plan to invest in and build the world's most advanced 0.35 micron process wafer foundry in Singapore, and strive to complete it and put it into production within two years. Then, we will immediately plan to build a new one in mainland China. Chip factory, I estimate that the world's most advanced wafer factory process may have been upgraded to 0.25 micron at that time..."
Li Xiaofan said happily: "Great, Dr. Zhang, as long as you make up your mind, then I will go all out to start preparations!"
Academician Ni next to him was very excited after hearing this: If an eight-inch wafer factory with the world's most advanced 0.25 micron process can be built in mainland China two years later in 1998, it will be in sync with the level of developed countries around the world!
Dr. Zhang nodded and said: "Well, then I will find the president of our company in the next few days and have a good discussion with him. I believe that with my sharp tongue, I am confident that I should be able to convince him... "
"Dr. Zhang, I also believe that you will make your dreams come true and achieve your goals! If so, Dr. Zhang, if you have time, can you provide the data on the land area required to build the factory and the water, electricity, gas and other supporting facilities? , and total investment and other information, so that I can coordinate with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and other departments about the early settlement of the project after I return to the Lion City? "
"No problem. These materials and data are ready. I can send them to you after I get to work tomorrow."
"In addition, Dr. Zhang, could you please send me another simple business plan so that I can start the preliminary financing and contact work after I return..."
"That's no problem. However, I need to spend some time and use my brain to write this business plan!"
Dr. Zhang explained to Li Xiaofan:
"Driving by Moore's Law, the current silicon wafer size in global wafer factories is changing from 6 inches to 8 inches. The larger the single wafer, the more integrated circuits can be produced on the same wafer, which can reduce The cost can also increase the yield, but the material technology and production technology requirements will be higher.”
"It doesn't seem to be very difficult to build a wafer fab at present. It seems that as long as you have enough money to spend, you can buy back the equipment and machines and build a wafer fab immediately. In fact, it is not that easy. In our construction Before starting this project, we first need to figure out where our future customers will be, what processes and products we need to build, so that we can Only by meeting the needs of future customers can we make better plans and arrangements, and invest corresponding funds, manpower and material resources. Therefore, I need to calm down, think carefully and plan. Moreover, if we invest in the construction of Singapore. For an advanced eight-inch wafer fab, the cost will be relatively higher than that in mainland China, and the investment may exceed US$1 billion..."
Li Xiaofan smiled and said, "Dr. Zhang, you are now the world's top wafer factory construction expert. You are familiar with the relevant global semiconductor industry data. I believe you should be confident! There should be no problem with investing more than 1 billion US dollars. After all, TSMC's project investment in Washington State has reached 1.2 billion US dollars..."
"Haha, Mr. Li, you are too kind! Although I say that, I also have to carefully calculate it. After all, it is a large project with an investment of more than 1 billion US dollars. I have to live up to investors like you!"
Dr. Zhang continued:
"Since IBM and Siemens established the first 8-inch wafer factory six years ago, the number of 8-inch wafer factories in the world has increased rapidly. So far, There are about 70 projects that have been completed or are under construction. But don't worry, with the rapid development of the global electronics industry, the demand for wafer foundry is still very strong, and the market potential is huge. So, Mr. Li, we either don't do it. If we do it, we will build a world-class wafer foundry. I am considering that in the future, our Singapore factory can use 0.35 micron process as the initial process, and then gradually upgrade to 0.25 micron. In the future, our wafer foundry will look to the world and serve global semiconductor customers..."
As a top expert in the industry, Dr. Zhang's understanding of the global semiconductor chip industry and his advanced strategic vision, looking at the world, are currently unmatched by few people!
...
Just when Li Xiaofan, Dr. Zhang, Academician Ni and others were chatting in a secluded corner of the restaurant, they aroused the curiosity of the old Suntou of SoftBank Group in the distance.
He walked over with a glass of wine and joked to Li Xiaofan:
"Li, what big project are you talking about? Is there any good business opportunity for us to get involved in SoftBank Group?"