Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) CEO C.C. Wei revealed that based on major clients' product roadmaps and growth projections, the company's current production capacity falls short by approximately three times. He even joked about wearing a T-shirt with the phrase "No more wafer" during an award ceremony, highlighting overwhelming demand that outpaces supply.
At a recent industry event, Wei emphasized that advanced process capacity remains critically insufficient amid surging demand driven by AI computing power. This statement came as he and former Chairman Mark Liu jointly received the Semiconductor Industry Association’s highest honor, the Robert N. Noyce Award—marking TSMC’s second win since founder Morris Chang was honored in 2008.
The award ceremony, held on the 20th in San Jose, California, featured AMD Chair and CEO Lisa Su presenting the accolade. The trio’s appearance symbolized the core strength of the AI chip supply chain. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick praised TSMC’s leadership in a pre-recorded message, stating, "Your work at TSMC has transformed the world," underscoring the company’s pivotal role in advancing global technology.
**Unmet Demand** During his speech, Wei noted that client demand for advanced processes far exceeds expectations. He reiterated that TSMC’s current capacity lags behind requirements by roughly threefold, citing aggressive growth plans from key customers. His lighthearted remark about the "No more wafer" T-shirt became one of the evening’s most talked-about moments, reflecting the unrelenting demand for semiconductors.
TSMC highlighted that the award recognizes its contributions to advancing process technologies, packaging innovations, and manufacturing ecosystems. From 7nm and 5nm to 3nm and the upcoming 2nm mass production, the company has consistently pushed technological boundaries over the past decade. Its global expansion—including facilities in the U.S., Japan, and Europe—positions TSMC as foundational infrastructure for the AI era.
Both Wei and Liu reflected on their nearly three-decade collaboration, dedicating the honor to TSMC’s entire team.
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