3 6 Ke·2025-08-06 04:29Core Insights - The interview with Zhang Zhongmou highlights TSMC's strategic decisions that led to its dominance in the semiconductor industry, particularly in securing contracts with major clients like Apple and Nvidia [1][2][3] Group 1: TSMC's Strategic Decisions - TSMC's success in securing Apple's orders was attributed to Intel's arrogance and TSMC's ability to meet customer demands, unlike Intel [1][2] - The 28nm node was identified as a pivotal moment for TSMC, with significant investments made to capitalize on its potential during the smartphone boom [2][3] - Zhang Zhongmou's decision to increase capital expenditure to nearly $6 billion in 2010 was based on the belief that 28nm would be the "sweet spot" in performance, cost, and energy efficiency [2][3] Group 2: Relationships with Key Clients - TSMC's relationship with Nvidia began in 1997 when Zhang Zhongmou responded to a letter from Nvidia's CEO, leading to a partnership that positioned Nvidia as one of TSMC's top clients [3][8] - In 2009, TSMC faced challenges with Nvidia regarding the 40nm node, which led to a compensation agreement exceeding $100 million to resolve disputes [2][3][26] - The partnership with Apple was solidified after a dinner meeting where Apple proposed a 40% profit margin, which TSMC found acceptable despite initial concerns about resource allocation for the 20nm node [66][67] Group 3: Organizational Structure and Management Philosophy - Zhang Zhongmou opposed performance-based layoffs, advocating for a functional organizational structure that prioritized employee retention and development [16][18][20] - The restructuring of TSMC's business development and marketing teams aimed to enhance operational efficiency and customer engagement [42][49] - Zhang's leadership style emphasized maintaining strong relationships with clients and fostering a collaborative environment within the company [28][56]