Toilet paper shortage but on an epic scale: Elon Musk on Chip FOMO in US

"It's going to be a challenging and long journey for them to diversify away and thinking about how long it takes for the chip development and cooperation — it's going to take a while" ~Elon Musk

Introduction:


The global coronavirus pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in the supply chains of various industries, and the chip sector was no exception. Automakers and tech companies experienced significant disruptions due to supply chain issues, particularly the shortage of critical components like computer chips. In response, the U.S. semiconductor industry has taken strategic steps to enhance its domestic manufacturing capabilities and reduce its reliance on overseas production. This blog post discusses the impact of supply chain challenges, the need for domestic production, and the initiatives taken to revitalize the U.S. semiconductor industry.

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Chip Supply Chain Challenges and Their Impact:


The pandemic-induced supply chain disruptions hit the automotive and technology sectors hard. Automakers faced billions of dollars in losses due to delays in manufacturing caused by the chip shortage. Tesla CEO Elon Musk highlighted the severity of the issue, comparing it to the toilet paper shortage but on an epic scale. The crisis exposed the overreliance of major tech companies like Apple, Amazon, and Google on Taiwanese contract manufacturers for 90% of their chip supplies.

“Never seen anything like it. “Fear of running out [of computer chips] is causing every company to overorder — like the toilet paper shortage but at epic scale.”

Tesla CEO Elon Musk posted on X.

Read More: How Chip Shortage Is The Most Important Event of Our Lifetime?

The Decline of U.S. Semiconductor Market Share in Chip making:


The United States, once a dominant player in the semiconductor industry, saw its global market share decline from 37% in 1990 to 10% in 2022. This decline necessitated a reevaluation of the nation’s semiconductor strategy to ensure national security and reduce dependency on foreign sources.

The CHIPS and Science Act:


To address these concerns and revitalize the domestic semiconductor industry, Congress passed the CHIPS and Science Act in 2022. This legislation allocated funding to boost research and manufacturing of semiconductors within the United States. This initiative aims to regain market share and strengthen national security by securing a reliable supply of critical technology components.

Boosting Domestic Manufacturing in Chip Making:


In response to the supply chain challenges, several semiconductor companies have invested heavily in domestic manufacturing facilities. These investments are essential for reducing dependency on overseas production and ensuring a steady supply of chips. Key states attracting these investments include Texas and Arizona, offering skilled labor, university partnerships, and a conducive business environment.

“It’s going to be a challenging and long journey for them to diversify away and thinking about how long it takes for the chip development and cooperation — it’s going to take a while”

~Elon Musk

Notable Investments and Facilities:


Several companies have announced significant investments in new industrial locations across the United States:

Micron (New York and Idaho):

  • Investment: $20 billion (New York) and $15 billion (Idaho)
  • Jobs: 9,000 (New York) and 2,000 (Idaho)
  • Square Feet: 2.4 million (New York) and 6.5 million (Idaho)
  • Year Open: 2030 (New York) and 2029 (Idaho)

Texas Instruments (Texas):

  • Investment: $30 billion
  • Jobs: 3,000
  • Square Feet: 4.7 million
  • Year Open: 2025

Intel (Ohio):

  • Investment: $20 billion
  • Jobs: 3,000
  • Square Feet: 2.5 million
  • Year Open: 2025

TSMC (Arizona):

  • Investment: $40 billion
  • Jobs: 4,500
  • Square Feet: 750,000
  • Year Open: 2024

These investments are crucial in expanding production capabilities and bolstering the U.S. semiconductor industry.

Conclusion:


The global pandemic shed light on the vulnerabilities of the semiconductor supply chain, prompting a renewed focus on domestic manufacturing in the United States. The CHIPS and Science Act and substantial investments by key players reflect a commitment to reshaping the semiconductor landscape, ensuring national security, and strengthening the nation’s position in the global market. As the industry moves forward, strategic investments and partnerships will play a vital role in reviving and securing the future of the U.S. semiconductor industry.

Kumar Priyadarshi
Kumar Priyadarshi

Kumar Priyadarshi is a prominent figure in the world of technology and semiconductors. With a deep passion for innovation and a keen understanding of the intricacies of the semiconductor industry, Kumar has established himself as a thought leader and expert in the field. He is the founder of Techovedas, India’s first semiconductor and AI tech media company, where he shares insights, analysis, and trends related to the semiconductor and AI industries.

Kumar Joined IISER Pune after qualifying IIT-JEE in 2012. In his 5th year, he travelled to Singapore for his master’s thesis which yielded a Research Paper in ACS Nano. Kumar Joined Global Foundries as a process Engineer in Singapore working at 40 nm Process node. He couldn’t find joy working in the fab and moved to India. Working as a scientist at IIT Bombay as Senior Scientist, Kumar Led the team which built India’s 1st Memory Chip with Semiconductor Lab (SCL)

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