Key Takeaway
Apple is pioneering an end-to-end silicon supply chain in the U.S., collaborating with major semiconductor manufacturers across various stages of chip production. Key partnerships include GlobalWafers America in Texas for silicon wafers, TSMC in Arizona for chip fabrication, and Texas Instruments, Samsung, and GlobalFoundries in other states. Applied Materials will provide advanced manufacturing equipment, while Amkor in Arizona will handle chip packaging and testing. Apple’s COO, Sabih Khan, emphasizes the goal of establishing a robust domestic silicon ecosystem. This initiative is expected to produce over 19 billion chips for Apple products by 2025, representing a significant investment.
The Silicon Supply Chain Revolution
Apple’s most notable achievement is establishing what may become America’s first comprehensive end-to-end silicon supply chain.
The company is coordinating partnerships at every stage of chip production, from raw materials to final packaging.
This initiative will span multiple states and unite some of the world’s leading names in semiconductor manufacturing.
GlobalWafers America in Sherman, Texas, will produce advanced 300mm silicon wafers using American silicon sourced from Corning’s Hemlock Semiconductor.
TSMC’s Arizona facility will serve as Apple’s primary customer for chip fabrication, while the Cupertino company will also collaborate with Texas Instruments in Utah and Texas, Samsung in Austin, and GlobalFoundries in New York.
For advanced equipment manufacturing, Applied Materials will be Apple’s preferred provider, with its facility in Austin, Texas, handling production.
Regarding the final packaging of products, Amkor’s new facility in Arizona will manage chip packaging and testing, with Apple as its anchor customer.
“We want America to lead in this critical industry, and we’re intensifying our efforts to cultivate a silicon manufacturing ecosystem that will benefit innovators across America,” states Sabih Khan, Apple’s newly appointed COO.
For a private sector initiative, the scale of this project is truly remarkable, with investments comparable to the annual budget of a small country.
This domestic silicon supply chain is expected to produce over 19 billion chips for Apple products in 2025 alone.
