The microelectronics unit of IBM Corp is to set up a semiconductor design center in Taiwan to serve as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) design service for local clients. A report in the local media said it will compete for wafer foundry orders with leading local companies such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC) and United Microelectronics Corp (UMC). It quoted an IBM official as saying the center will provide clients with a series of services, from designing to manufacturing to packaging. IBM shifted part of its ASIC business from the US base to Taiwan last year in order to offer faster support to local clients.
