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In the semiconductor industry, it is unusual for a start-up to succeed without an exceptional CEO.
The name of GloFo’s CEO escapes me.
As do the names of any of its execs.
It’s not as if there aren’t supremely talented people around in the industry – it has always been full of exceptionally clever, motivated people.
If I had all the riches of Arabia and wanted to start a semiconductor company I would hire some of them.
Who builds the industry’s best fabs? Intel, Samsung and TSMC – so I’d hire the best fab building guys from those three companies.
Who has the best foundry customer service in the world? TSMC – I’d hire TSMC’s best customer services guy
Who has the best process technology in the industry? Intel and TSMC – I’d hire the best process scientists from Intel and TSMC.
That would seem to be a better approach than popping round to the San Jose retirees’ home.
Tomorrow Morning: The Ten Best Semiconductor CEOs in 2010
Interesting, Daniel, does this new business model anticipate making a profit at any particular time?
GFI has positioned themselves as more of an IDM than a foundry, whereas customer are an integrated part of the manufacturing process, versus the standard foundry model of throwing designs over the Taiwan wall.
Being close to your customers is not a bad thing. Having manufacturing facilities in the US, EU, and Asia, is not a bad thing.
I see no way for GFI or even Intel to compete with TSMC head-on so why would they emulate them? GFI has to change the rules of engagement and not be a TSMC clone like UMC and SMIC.
D.A.N.
Yes, Arun, the execs seem to come from the US but the skilled knowledge base of the foundry industry is in Asia. That’s my point really – they’d be better off recruiting their execs and skilled people in Asia where they understand the foundry industry.
David: But the execs are still mostly in America, aren’t they? I believe one of GF’s largest deals to date is with Qualcomm. Being in California certainly couldn’t hurt. So it’s a trade-off but I don’t think it’s a bad one overall.
I certainly agree GF has no Morris Chang, but then again nobody does – he’s quite unique and there’s a reason TSMC brought him back to the front when they did given the 40nm problems and the pressures from GF. I think he’s done an amazing job too.
You said it all, Daniel. Where is the foundry industry? Answer Asia. Where are the Glofo execs? Answer: San Jose. Is that a good strategy? I don’t think so. P.S Actual silicon does get designed outside the US. Increasingly.
The GloFLo executives are all in Silicon Valley, where the actual silicon is designed. In case you missed the Gloflo Tech Conference:
http://danielnenni.com/2010/09/06/globalfoundries-exposed/
With executives from AMD, eSilicon, Altera, TSMC, and Chartered Semi, GloFlo has a breadth of experience we have not seen before in a foundry, which is a good thing I would say.
D.A.N.