Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) held its 2024 Sports Day in Hsinchu on October 26, with founder Morris Chang, age 93, in attendance.
TSMC CEO C.C. Wei remarked, "TSMC has come a long way over 37 years, and I have waited 26 years to stand here." He reflected on the company's journey, acknowledging the challenges overcome and the milestones achieved, attributing TSMC's success to the contributions of every employee and the foundational work of predecessors like founder Morris Chang and MediaTek CEO Rick Tsai, among other remarkable leaders.
Chang made a personal appearance at TSMC's 27th Sports Day, leading TSMC CEO C.C. Wei and the executive team around the 400-meter track. Many retired industry leaders from the semiconductor sector also attended, including Rick Tsai, former TSMC CEO, Acer chairman and CEO Jason Chen, former TSMC senior vice president Stephen Tso, former TSMC vice president of Operations J.K. Wang, Hermes Microvision vice chairman Chin-Yung Shu, and FocalTech Systems chairman Genda Hu.
However, former TSMC chairman Mark Liu and rumored guests Sheung Yee Chiang and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang did not attend.
C.C. Wei's speech
C.C. Wei remarked that Sports Day serves as a reunion for the TSMC family. He shared several positive updates, beginning with a warm welcome to partners, colleagues, and overseas team members attending the event. He also announced that founder Morris Chang's second autobiography is set for release in November, encouraging everyone to pick up a copy. Following tradition, Wei distributed small gifts, including a special bonus of NT$20,000 (US$623.5) for most employees.
In 2024, TSMC marked several key milestones. Progress on the 2nm technology is on track, with the A16 process now unveiled. Positive developments were also reported across TSMC's global sites: the Japan fab officially opened, groundbreaking began in Germany, and advancements continued in the US facilities. TSMC's role in the global semiconductor industry has become increasingly pivotal, and its responsibilities have grown in tandem. Wei hoped that everyone would continue to embody the "One Team" spirit and press forward.
Morris Chang's speech
In his address, Chang shared his belief that 2024 would be another record-breaking year for TSMC, though he cautioned that the toughest challenges are yet to come. Confident in the company's top teams and leadership, he expressed optimism about overcoming these obstacles and achieving remarkable successes. Emphasizing a long-held sentiment, he reiterated that Sports Day is "the most exciting day of his year". He explained employees' enthusiasm, teamwork, and athletic spirit bring him immense joy.
Chang reflected on TSMC's Sports Day five years ago, when he remarked that the company's success had positioned it as a strategic battleground for geopolitical interests. Over the past four years, this prediction has materialized, with TSMC becoming a central focus of global competition. He noted that the competitive landscape ahead will likely be even more demanding than in recent years.
He emphasized that in the semiconductor industry, especially in advanced semiconductor process technology, "globalization is dead" and "free trade is dead." In this context, the challenge is to continue seeking development. He firmly believes that if we accept this challenge, we will succeed, supported by our outstanding teams and leadership. As Chang concluded his speech, he received applause from the audience and humorously added, "Fortunately, the response was enthusiastic; otherwise, I would have to settle accounts later."
It is worth noting that Taiwan faces serious issues related to declining birth rates. In 2023, TSMC's Taiwanese plants and subsidiaries welcomed 2,463 newborns, accounting for 1.8% of Taiwan's total births, demonstrating how TSMC's quality welfare system helps mitigate the impact of low birth rates.
