Rebirth 99 to become a car giant

Good things come one after another.

When Nanshan Semiconductor successfully secured a wafer manufacturer and packaging and testing factory of Renesas Electronics,

Negotiations on the lithography machine have also made important progress.

"Mr. Cao, TSMC and Intel have each canceled orders for four ASML XT 1400i lithography machines and delayed the delivery of four XT 1400i machines."

"So now we only have to pay $80 million to buy an XT 1400i lithography machine."

"In addition, Nikon's 157nm products and EPL products can be delivered by the end of next year as long as they are ordered now."

"Canon's photolithography products, no matter what technology they are, are sold for money."

"In the past six months, the situation in the lithography machine market has changed dramatically."

This news from Zhang Jing is definitely a good thing for Nanshan Semiconductor.

If it weren't for the financial crisis, it would not be so easy for Nanshan Semiconductor to buy lithography machines.

"Which one has faster delivery time, ASML products or Nikon products?"

Cao Yang is not particularly familiar with the semiconductor industry, but he must have heard of the name ASML.

On the contrary, Nikon's later generations are much less well-known in the field of photolithography machines.

As for Canon, it has basically disappeared.

But when he listened to reports on lithography machine procurement and design in the past two years, he learned that apart from ASML, Nikon appeared even more frequently.

After doing some research, I found out that before 2008, Nikon was the leading company in the field of photolithography machines.

Even the technical advantages of Japanese companies in photolithography equipment were obvious before 2008.

Unfortunately, after 2008, ASML relied on a new generation of immersion lithography machines to capture 70% of the market share in one fell swoop. Nikon, the original leader, quickly retreated, leaving only 30% of the market share.

The eldest brother and the second child fought, and all the other younger brothers were wiped out.

"ASML's delivery speed may be faster, because they are already producing orders from TSMC and Intel."

"If we place an order now, we don't need to queue up. We can just use the equipment that others are producing before."

When Zhang Jing said this, his tone changed a bit.

This is a rare opportunity.

If Nanshan Semiconductor can obtain ASML's most advanced photolithography machines, it will not only be used to produce automotive-grade chips, but also chips used in mobile phones.

Even this generation of photolithography machine technology can handle the production of automotive-grade chips in the next 10 years.

This can completely allow Nanshan Semiconductor to successfully survive the pain of early development and survive successfully.

After all, the initial goal of Nanshan Semiconductor was to solve the supply problem of automotive-grade chips.

It would be great if the supply problem of mobile phone chips could be solved incidentally.

"Since Asmer's is faster, let's buy it from Asmer."

No matter where you buy the lithography machine from, it is a one-time business.

Cao Yang plans to let Nanshan Equipment produce photolithography machines by itself later.

Some people think that lithography machines are the culmination of human technology, the result of the joint efforts of all the world's top companies, top scientists and many engineers. China's desire to develop all technologies independently is undoubtedly a dream.

Cao Yang decided to challenge him!

Don’t you think that if the drawings of the lithography machine are made public, China won’t be able to produce them?

Then I’ll take a look at the production!

Anyway, many of these things are not patented for production.

Even if I have a patent, as long as I don’t sell it to anyone, you won’t even be able to catch evidence that I’ve infringed on your patent!

This is a big business. The market for chips will be so broad in the future. If Nanshan Semiconductor can really master chip production equipment, it will be just around the corner to become the world's largest equipment manufacturer!

"Mr. Cao, it is not difficult to buy a photolithography machine, but once we place an order, we will definitely need to consider the layout of the wafer factory. The construction of a factory also needs to be put on the agenda."

"Otherwise, it would be a shame if the equipment is produced and left to gather dust in a warehouse."

Zhang Jing looked at Cao Yang expectantly.

The construction of this wafer fab is a big investment.

Now a photolithography machine costs US$80 million, and Nanshan Semiconductor has to purchase two units at once.

Then coupled with a series of other equipment purchases, the investment in this wafer fab will definitely reach more than 500 million US dollars.

In 2008, this amount of investment was absolutely huge.

"The choice of the first wafer fab is nothing more than considering between Shanghai and Guangzhou."

"There is already one 300mm chip factory and three 200mm chip factories of SMIC in Shanghai. If our wafer fab is also located in Shanghai, it will definitely be more beneficial for recruiting skilled technical personnel in the industry."

“So there’s no need to worry too much, just continue to choose the right address in Shanghai.”

"The construction of Jaguar Land Rover's new factory and R\u0026D center has been smoothly connected with Modu."

"If we continue to invest in wafer fabs, the support there will definitely be greater."

"On the contrary, in Yangcheng, the development of the semiconductor industry is relatively slow. Apart from placing part of the chip design and packaging and testing factories in Yangcheng, other wafer factories have no plans in this regard for the time being."

"When you need to build a second factory in the future, you should consider Yangcheng again."

Although Yangcheng City is where Nanshan Group started, Cao Yang will not put all his industries here.

Imperial Capital, Magic Capital, Yangcheng and Chang'an, these four cities will be the four key points of Nanshan Group's national layout in the future.

Obviously, companies related to wafer fabs are more suitable to be placed in Modu.

In the imperial capital, we should focus on the cultural industry and the Internet industry.

On the other hand, Chang'an can develop some related material industries such as carbon fiber and Nanshan Chemical Industry.

"If you have a target city and just choose a suitable location, it can be determined quickly."

"However, the production of a chip involves three major areas: chip design, wafer foundry, and packaging and testing. Only when these areas are completed can a complete industry chain of chips be formed."

"At present, we have accumulated some experience in chip design work, but there are still some gaps compared with Huawei HiSilicon. I think the company can have some cooperation with them."

The chip design industry is a typical technology-intensive industry. It is a part of the overall chip industry that has higher requirements for scientific research and R\u0026D strength. The chip design level has a greater impact on the function, performance and cost of chip products.

Zhang Jing also has a clear understanding of this.

He doesn't want Nanshan Semiconductor to build the most advanced wafer factory at the moment, but because of the chip design, the products produced are not competitive.

That would be such a pity.

"There is no problem at all in cooperating with HiSilicon on chip design."

"The weakest aspect in China right now is wafer processing. We will develop this business ourselves."

"As for packaging and testing, relatively speaking, this is an area that is relatively well done in China."

"At that time, we will also find some manufacturers to cooperate, or directly continue to acquire some chip packaging and testing manufacturers to continuously improve our strength in this area."

"Relevant work can be started now, and we strive to officially start construction of the wafer factory and packaging and testing factory before the Chinese New Year."

When Cao Yang said this, Zhang Jing immediately felt tremendous pressure.

Don't look at it, there is still more than a month before the end of the year.

But for the construction of a factory, what is enough time for more than a month?

Even the land procedures for the factory may not have been completed, right?

There are also various layouts of the factory, which also take time to complete.

Of course, some work has already been done before, and now it just needs further confirmation.

If it really happens, it's not impossible at all.

"Mr. Cao, I will start making arrangements right away!"

"However, in the next period of time, various reporting and confirmation work related to Nanshan Semiconductor may take up more of your time."

“It’s even possible that some presentations will be scheduled after hours or on weekends.”

Zhang Jing has no plans to give himself a holiday in the next year.

With such a good opportunity, he really wanted to show off his skills.

However, he felt it was necessary to vaccinate Cao Yang.

Otherwise, it would be embarrassing if you want to report but can't make an appointment.

"No problem, just communicate with Mi Ying about the specific schedule."

“During this period, Nanshan Semiconductor’s affairs are at the top of the priority list.”

Cao Yang attaches great importance to chips.

Taking advantage of the good opportunity of the financial crisis, Nanshan Semiconductor can successfully enter this field and use the profits obtained from the international financial market to develop aggressively.

In another three to five years, things will start to change.

At that time, if Nanshan Semiconductor wanted to develop chips again, it was not impossible, but the price would be much higher.

There are many more competitors.

Without the opportunity, it will naturally be much more difficult to do it.

It's not like now, when you go to ASML to buy a photolithography machine, the other party really treats you like God.

Otherwise, with so many photolithography machines that have already been partially produced, they would be under great pressure.

It seems that in a few years, when the semiconductor industry begins to recover, especially after many Chinese manufacturers begin to enter the semiconductor industry, the demand for lithography machines suddenly becomes tense.

Even if you wave your money, you can't get the product that quickly.

Even if you just give them money, they may not sell you products.

…

Nanshan Semiconductor wants to build a wafer factory!

This news was like a huge boulder dropped into a calm lake, and it immediately caused a huge response.

The first person who was nervous was Liu Tianwu.

This time, he did not let Luo Yi communicate, but came to Nanshan Group in person to interview Cao Yang.

"Mr. Cao, I heard that Nanshan Semiconductor is going to set up a wafer fab?"

We are all old acquaintances. Liu Tianwu did not beat around the bush, but went directly to the topic.

He also knew that Cao Yang must be very busy now.

"That's true. As you know, we acquired a wafer factory and packaging and testing factory from Renesas Electronics in Japan some time ago, and now we have arranged for a group of people to go there to accept and learn from it."

"At the same time, the entire international semiconductor market is currently in a slump. The purchase cycle of related equipment is much shorter than in previous years, the prices are more favorable, and the barriers to entry are almost non-existent."

"Under this situation, I think it is the best time for Nanshan Semiconductor to build its own wafer factory."

Cao Yang naturally knew what Liu Tianwu wanted to do when he came to visit.

So tell the truth.

"The threshold for fabs has always been relatively high."

"I had someone sort out the relevant processes before. There are seven processes including heat treatment, photolithography, etching, ion implantation, thin film deposition, metallization, and chemical mechanical polishing. Only chips that pass the final measurement will enter the packaging and testing process. .”

"Although domestic companies such as SMIC have built their own wafer fabs, the technology is still far from the most advanced international level."

"Warwick HiSilicon was also engaged in chip design before, but their wafer production was entrusted to professional wafer manufacturers."

"As far as I know, in the entire international semiconductor market, most manufacturers are only engaged in chip design or chip packaging, and are not involved in the field of wafer production."

"Nanshan Semiconductor is doing the opposite, and the pressure it will face will be huge."

Although Liu Tianwu really wanted Nanshan Semiconductor to put its wafer factory in Yangcheng.

But before saying this, he felt it was necessary to remind Cao Yang and make him realize that the threshold of the fab was relatively high.

Don't get it halfway through and end up with an unfinished project, which would be embarrassing.

“It’s true as you said, the Fabless model, that is, waferless manufacturing design companies, is now the mainstream.”

"Investing in a wafer factory yourself requires a large investment scale and the cost of maintaining stable operation of the production line is high, and continuous investment is required to improve the process level to ensure that it is not eliminated by the market."

"But among professional chip design companies, domestic Huawei HiSilicon has done quite well."

"In terms of wafer foundry, although SMIC's level is still far behind that of TSMC, it can still meet most of the chip needs."

"As for packaging and testing, there are many manufacturers doing it."

"Whether Nanshan Semiconductor enters a certain field alone, the significance is not that big."

“Either don’t do it, or if you do it, do your best and be your strongest.”

"So the IDM model of both design and manufacturing, which everyone seems to be a bit outdated, is the most suitable model for Nanshan Semiconductor."

"To this end, I have prepared 50 billion yuan in funds and am prepared to suffer losses for five consecutive years."

When Cao Yang said this, Liu Tianwu did not persuade him anymore, but immediately said in reverse: "Mr. Cao, if you want Nanshan Semiconductor to put its wafer factory in Yangcheng, what are the conditions?"

Liu Tianwu had discussed similar topics with Cao Yang before.

He even knew that Cao Yang did not take the initiative to communicate with him about the fab, which meant that Nanshan Semiconductor was preparing to place the fab in other cities.

But he still didn't want to give up.

That is a one-time investment of at least several hundred million dollars, and there may be even larger investments in the future.

There is no wafer fab in Yangcheng so far. If Nanshan Semiconductor can break this situation, it will have a very different meaning for the entire Yangcheng.

However, some things are not just what you want them to be.

"Leadership, a complete chip needs to be composed of design, production and packaging and testing."

"We can put part of the chip design work in Yangcheng, and the headquarters of Nanshan Semiconductor can also be placed in Yangcheng."

"In addition, a chip packaging and testing factory can also be built in Yangcheng first."

"However, the construction schedule of the wafer factory is relatively tight. Yangcheng lacks relevant experience and technical talents. Our first wafer factory can only be considered to be located in Shanghai."

Cao Yang didn't beat around the bush this time and directly told Nanshan Semiconductor's arrangements.

Of course, except for the wafer fab, all the other cakes were given to Yangcheng, and Liu Tianwu was able to explain it to his superiors.

Sure enough, Liu Tianwu breathed a sigh of relief after hearing what Cao Yang said.

So even though he still hoped that Nanshan Semiconductor's wafer fab would be located in Yangcheng, he didn't bother anymore.

Instead, he began to communicate with Cao Yang about the land needed for the packaging and testing factory and related requirements.

Then immediately go back and arrange for relevant personnel to connect.

Just like what Cao Yang said, the first phase of the wafer fab can only be placed in the Magic City due to restrictions for various reasons.

But as long as Nanshan Semiconductor develops smoothly, one fab will definitely not be able to meet the requirements.

Whether Yangcheng can secure the first wafer fab by then will be closely related to its subsequent performance.

However, Cao Yang and Liu Tianwu knew very well that the wafer fab would be located in Shanghai.

But the Magic City side doesn’t know.

So at this time, Wang Huiliang, the middleman who had brought Jaguar Land Rover's factory and R\u0026D center to Shanghai, was once again entrusted with an important task.

Just when Liu Tianwu had just left Nanshan Group, Wang Huiliang called Cao Yang in the guard room of Nanshan Group.

This way of doing things is easy to get rejected under normal circumstances.

After all, everyone is very busy. Where can we find time to meet an unexpected guest?

However, considering the sincerity of the other party, Nanshan Semiconductor is now preparing to go to Shanghai to investigate the location of the wafer factory.

So this time Wang Huiliang naturally met Cao Yang smoothly.

He also knew that he came a bit suddenly this time, but he had no choice but to be rushed over by a phone call.

The chairman of the company personally called him and asked him to leave for Yangcheng immediately, and then the professional investment team from Shanghai Magic City would follow closely to visit Nanshan Group.

"Mr. Cao, I'm really sorry that I came here suddenly without making an appointment in advance."

Wang Huiliang does not regard himself as the deputy general manager of Modu GM at all.

The posture is very low.

He even plans to push for the use of various products from Nanshan Auto Parts within the company as soon as he returns, so that he can better serve as a middleman in the future.

If this kind of work is done well, it will be much more meaningful than the deputy general manager's job.

Suddenly there is an opportunity for progress.

"Mr. Wang, you are such a busy person. If you can come and communicate, it's not too late for us to welcome you."

"Even if you call me at twelve o'clock in the evening, I will definitely be available."

Everyone is already here, so there is no point in talking about anything else.

Besides, the schedule is very tight now. Cao Yang asked people to spread the news. Isn't it because he wants the Magic City to take the initiative to attract investment?

This makes it easier for Nanshan Semiconductor to raise conditions.

Otherwise, if Nanshan Semiconductor comes to find it on its own, the situation will be in a passive state.

Therefore, Wang Huiliang's attitude towards this meeting was definitely very good.

"Mr. Cao, I won't waste your time and go straight to the topic." Wang Huiliang knew that Cao Yang must be very busy. If he went around and around, he might miss the opportunity.

"It is rumored that Nanshan Semiconductor is going to build its own wafer factory, and the equipment has already begun to be ordered from ASML."

"Is this true?"

Nanshan Semiconductor was not established today. It was not the first time that Wang Huiliang heard about their contact with ASML to purchase lithography equipment.

But before, it was passed around and there was no movement.

Whether it was like this this time, or whether there were other circumstances, he would definitely want to confirm first.

Otherwise, it will be funny when the time comes.

"That's right!"

"We are preparing to purchase two state-of-the-art lithography machines from ASML. The corresponding wafer fab will be determined in the next few months and then construction will begin."

"We strive to complete the construction of the wafer fab by the end of next year or the first half of the year after next."

The bait is thrown out by itself.

Now the fish is hooked.

Naturally, there is no need to continue to hang people up.

The most important thing at the moment is to pass on accurate information quickly and let the Magic City cooperate as soon as possible to prepare land and other related things.

"Come to Magic City, Mr. Cao, we in Magic City can provide the best support policies and have the most complete talent reserve."

"And the production process of the wafer fab requires the use of a large amount of fresh water. We have previously prepared a piece of land for SMIC's second factory, which is right on the edge of the Yangtze River and can be invested in factory construction at any time."

"And we at Modu have a dedicated construction team that previously provided wafer factory construction services to SMIC."

"If Nanshan Semiconductor places its wafer factory in Shanghai, construction of the factory can begin next month."

"We can provide this piece of land for free, and we will provide a preferential policy of exempting all taxes for the three years before the factory is put into operation."

“You can also continue to enjoy the preferential tax halving policy for the second three years.”

"In terms of relevant talent introduction, Magic City will also provide full support. All Nanshan Semiconductor employees can obtain Magic City household registration."

Wang Huiliang stated all the conditions of the Magic City in one breath, wanting to fully demonstrate his sincerity.

He knows very well that Nanshan Semiconductor's wafer fab will become a hot spot in many places.

If we start too late, it will be embarrassing if the Imperial Capital or other cities take over.

"Yes, Nanshan Semiconductor's wafer factory can be placed in Shanghai Magic City. I can let Mr. Zhang communicate with you about the specific details!"

As soon as Cao Yang said these words, Wang Huiliang was stunned.

Can?

Did you hear it correctly?