新财富·2025-03-05 07:45Core Viewpoint - The article chronicles the journey of Zhang Rujing, the founder of SMIC, highlighting his significant contributions to the semiconductor industry in China and the evolution of SMIC from its inception to its current status as a key player in the global semiconductor market [1][2][3]. Group 1: Early Life and Education - Zhang Rujing was born in 1948 in Nanjing and graduated from Taiwan University in 1970, initially aspiring to pursue aerospace engineering but shifted to electronic engineering due to circumstances [1]. - He furthered his education in the United States, obtaining a master's degree in engineering science from the University at Buffalo in 1974 and a Ph.D. in electronic engineering from Southern Methodist University in 1986, where he developed a rigorous engineering mindset [2]. Group 2: Career at Texas Instruments - Zhang joined Texas Instruments (TI) in 1977 during the semiconductor industry's golden age, where he gained extensive experience in chip factory construction and management [4]. - He was involved in the development of DRAM technology and learned to improve wafer yield from 35% to 82%, establishing a methodology for factory construction that considered local industry policies and talent [4][5]. Group 3: Founding of SMIC - After leaving TI in 1997, Zhang founded United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC) in Taiwan, achieving profitability within three years and planning to establish factories in mainland China [5][6]. - In 2000, he sold UMC to TSMC for $5 billion, which provided him with $1 billion and a skilled team, enabling him to establish SMIC in Shanghai [6][7]. Group 4: Rapid Growth of SMIC - Under Zhang's leadership, SMIC built its first 8-inch production line in just 13 months, setting a record for wafer fab construction speed, and achieved an 85% yield rate [7][8]. - Zhang implemented a "reverse foundry" strategy, allowing small design companies to benefit from comprehensive services, which led to a rapid increase in clients and production capacity [6][7]. Group 5: Challenges and Legal Issues - SMIC faced legal challenges from TSMC, which led to a halt in advanced process development and impacted client relationships due to concerns over legal risks [9]. - Zhang's departure in 2009 was marked by a series of legal settlements, resulting in significant executive turnover within the company [9][11]. Group 6: Post-Zhang Era and Strategic Shifts - After Zhang's exit, SMIC adopted a "rural encirclement of cities" strategy under new leadership, focusing on mature processes and increasing domestic market share [11][12]. - The introduction of state-owned investors helped stabilize the company financially and laid the groundwork for future technological advancements [11][12]. Group 7: Technological Advancements - The arrival of Liang Mengsong in 2017 marked a turning point for SMIC, leading to significant advancements in process technology, including the successful development of 14nm FinFET technology [12][13]. - Liang's leadership resulted in a dramatic increase in yield rates and the establishment of a robust R&D framework, enabling SMIC to compete in advanced process technology [15][16]. Group 8: Industry Impact and Future Outlook - SMIC's evolution reflects the potential for China's semiconductor industry to achieve breakthroughs through talent and engineering organization, with a focus on developing a skilled workforce [18][19]. - The company's journey illustrates the challenges and opportunities within the global semiconductor landscape, emphasizing the importance of innovation and adaptation in response to geopolitical pressures [19].