We recently reported that TSMC company without delay after the February 6 earthquake has underestimated the scale of production equipment destruction .
TSMC company became eligible for the whole package of orders on Apple's Apple A10 processors. Until now, Apple shared orders between TSMC and Samsung, but for the production of SoC A10, it was reported that Samsung has lost the right to produce single-chip assembly for Apple 10-nm generation. The potential risk of stopping TSMC production in case of an earthquake plays on Samsung's hand. Its factories are located in less seismic zone. In this case, TSMC company is better not to stir up panic about the consequences of the recent earthquake.
So, on Monday TSMC reported that it has restored all damaged lines, of which there were about 5% of the total. According to the refined data, shipment of wafers with chips at Fab 14A plant will be delayed for a period of 10 to 50 days and will affect 100 thousand 300-mm wafers. In other words, the delay will be transferred in the second quarter. Shipment wafers at Fab 6 is delayed by 5-20 days and will affect 20 thousand 200-mm wafers, which also affect the work in the first quarter. Production at Fab 14B suffered slightly. Due to delays in shipping company lowered its forecast for the number of sales in the first quarter, but the losses will be largely offset by strengthening of the local currency and through properly structured business.
According to analyst firm Maybank KimEng Securities in Hong Kong, TSMC company will lose up to 5% of the planned production in the first quarter - it is about 250 thousand plates. Hardest hit Fab14A plant,. The plant Fab 14B produces 16/20-nm products, but it is, as mentioned above, hardly affected. This happened primarily because of incomplete loading lines Fab 14B, which is only 50%. This production produces SoC Apple A9 and will be releasing Apple A10.