SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Morris Chang has recently reassumed control of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (TSMC).
Now, Chang will serve as chief executive at TSMC, along with his current position as chairman, effective June 12. He assumes the CEO title from Rick Tsai, who was appointed president and CEO of TSMC in 2005. In effect, Chang, 77, will assume day-to-day control of the foundry giant.
There is more reaction from analysts about the changes at TSMC:
Joanne Itow, analyst, Semico Research Corp.
''Morris Chang will certainly bring back the confidence and decision making that makes customers feel secure.''
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Dean Freeman, analyst, Gartner Inc.
''The timing of the board's appointment to have the founder return to take the reins again at TSMC is interesting. So why make a change?
While the immediate outlook is improving, there are still many clouds on the horizon that may have prompted this move. It appears that TSMC struggled more at 40-nm with yields than it has in the past. The 32-nm and 28-nm technology launch is roaring down the technology road map, and 22-nm is expected in another two years, and yields will be a challenge as well. TSMC is releasing technology ahead of many IDMs; this means that TSMC will need to start increasing its R&D budget to keep abreast of the technology road map.
Add to the mix that the IBM Common Platform alliance appears to be catching up with the TSMC technology road map, it becomes more understandable why the board and Morris decided to have Morris return to help the company through the many challenges it will face during the next few years.
There are some concerns that with Morris back at the helm, the succession plans have been jettisoned; however, Tsai is still with the company and will play a critical role during the next few years. The IBM platform alliance has taken direct aim at TSMC and is hoping
to lure customers away with the promise of high-k metal gates at 32-nm. Business development
to find new customers and fend off attacks on current clients will be critical to the continued success of TSMC. Having a key individual in that position is paramount to the future success of TSMC.''