Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges and implications of vertical integration in the semiconductor industry, highlighting the risks of unfair competition and the need for collaboration rather than internal competition [1][5]. Industry Overview - The semiconductor manufacturing and equipment sectors are characterized by a high degree of specialization, with major manufacturers like TSMC, Samsung, and GlobalFoundries representing chip makers, while ASML, Applied Materials, and Lam Research represent equipment suppliers [2]. - In China, leading semiconductor manufacturers include SMIC, Hua Hong Semiconductor, and JCET, while equipment suppliers include AMEC, North Huachuang, and Shanghai Semei [2]. Competition and Collaboration - Vertical integration is seen as a source of unfair competition, as it can lead to the leakage of proprietary knowledge and trade secrets between chip manufacturers and equipment suppliers [3]. - The historical failures of vertically integrated companies in the semiconductor space underscore the importance of maintaining a clear division between manufacturing and equipment supply [3]. Domestic Semiconductor Equipment Development - The domestic semiconductor equipment industry has made progress in localization, with the highest domestic production rate of 90% achieved in the photoresist stripping equipment [6]. - Other equipment categories, such as thermal processing, etching, and cleaning, have a domestic production rate of around 20%, while CMP and PVD equipment are at approximately 10% [6]. - The development of semiconductor equipment requires significant funding and time, with R&D costs potentially exceeding the sale price of the equipment by multiples [6]. Industry Challenges - The semiconductor micro-processing equipment industry faces ten major challenges, including severe competition and various forms of internal competition [5]. - Encouragement for collaboration between smaller equipment companies and larger firms is suggested to reduce internal friction and promote healthy industry development [6]. Product Launches - At the recent semiconductor equipment exhibition, the company launched six new semiconductor equipment products, showcasing its technological capabilities in critical processes such as plasma etching, atomic layer deposition, and epitaxy [7].