The semiconductor industry is one of the most complex and strategic in the world. In this article, we explore the key companies that are part of this value chain, dividing them into three main levels: Fabless, Foundries, and Testing & Packaging, as well as other companies involved in this chain. In addition, we include links to the official websites of each company so that you can learn more about their role in this industry.
Companies without factory, functions and packaging
1. Factory Chip Design (Fabless)
These companies specialize in chip design, but outsource manufacturing to specialized foundries. Here are some of the main ones:
- Broadcom (NASDAQ: AVGO): https://www.broadcom.com/
- Qualcomm (NASDAQ: QCOM): https://www.qualcomm.com/
- NOVATEK (TPE: 3034): https://www.novatek.com.tw/
- Realtek (TPE: 2379): https://www.realtek.com/
- Alphabet (Google) (NASDAQ: GOOGL): https://www.google.com/
- Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT): https://www.microsoft.com/
- Marvell (NASDAQ: MRVL): https://www.marvell.com/
- Cirrus Logic (NASDAQ: CRUS): https://www.cirrus.com/
2. Foundries
Foundries are responsible for the physical manufacture of the chips. Here are some of the most important ones:
- TSMC (NYSE: TSM): https://www.tsmc.com/
- Samsung Foundry (KRX: 005930): https://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/foundry/
- GlobalFoundries (NASDAQ: GFS): https://www.globalfoundries.com/
- 华虹集团 (Hua Hong Group) (HKEX: 1347): http://www.hhgc.com.cn/
- Intel Foundry Services (NASDAQ: INTC): https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/foundry.html
- CanSemi: http://www.cansemi.com/ (No cotiza en bolsa)
- SMIC (HKEX: 0981): https://www.smics.com/
3. Testing & Packaging
This level focuses on the verification and packaging of chips before distribution. Some of the companies that stand out are:
- Teradyne (NASDAQ: TER): https://www.teradyne.com/
- Advantest (TYO: 6857): https://www.advantest.com/
- Amkor Technology (NASDAQ: AMKR): https://www.amkor.com/
- Agilent Technologies (NYSE: A): https://www.agilent.com/
Support Companies in the Value Chain
In addition to the three main levels, there are companies that provide essential tools, software, and materials for semiconductor development:
Software Design, R+D Tools and Intellectual Property (IP)
- Synopsys (NASDAQ: SNPS): https://www.synopsys.com/
- Cadence (NASDAQ: CDNS): https://www.cadence.com/
- Siemens EDA (ETR: SIE): https://eda.sw.siemens.com/
- Ansys (NASDAQ: ANSS): https://www.ansys.com/
- Keysight Technologies (NYSE: KEYS): https://www.keysight.com/
- Rambus (NASDAQ: RMBS): https://www.rambus.com/
Manufacturing Equipment & Ancillary Services
- ASML (NASDAQ: ASML): https://www.asml.com/
- Applied Materials (NASDAQ: AMAT): https://www.appliedmaterials.com/
- Lam Research (NASDAQ: LRCX): https://www.lamresearch.com/
- KLA Corporation (NASDAQ: KLAC): https://www.kla.com/
- Nikon (TYO: 7731): https://www.nikon.com/
- Canon (TYO: 7751): https://global.canon/
- Hitachi (TYO: 6501): https://www.hitachi.com/
Materials and Components
- Shin-Etsu (TYO: 4063): https://www.shinetsu.co.jp/
- Air Liquide (EPA: AI): https://www.airliquide.com/
- Siltronic (ETR: WAF): https://www.siltronic.com/
- Panasonic (TYO: 6752): https://www.panasonic.com/
Embedded Device Manufacturers (IDMs)
These companies control both the design and manufacture of their chips:
Skyworks Solutions(NASDAQ: SWKS):https://www.skyworksinc.com/visitQuartzor in this summary image.
Intel (NASDAQ: INTC): https://www.intel.com/
Texas Instruments (NASDAQ: TXN): https://www.ti.com/
SK Hynix (KRX: 000660): https://www.skhynix.com/
Infineon (ETR: IFX): https://www.infineon.com/
Micron (NASDAQ: MU): https://www.micron.com/
Samsung Semiconductor (KRX: 005930): https://www.samsung.com/semiconductor/
Toshiba (TYO: 6502): https://www.toshiba.com/
Analog Devices (NASDAQ: ADI): https://www.analog.com/
Renesas (TYO: 6723): https://www.renesas.com/
