The Information Technology 100
48
Powerchip Semiconductor
In the semiconductor industry, Taiwan has powerful players like TSMC and UMC, the world's No. 1 and No. 2 chip foundries. When it comes to memory chips, though, Taiwanese manufacturers have lagged far behind rivals like Samsung Electronics, Hynix, Micron, and Infineon. Powerchip is aiming to change that. Last year, the Hsin-chu-based company, became Taiwan's biggest DRAM maker, thanks to a partnership with Japanese semiconductor maker Elpida.
The memory-chip market may remain depressed for now, but Powerchip is pushing ahead with plans to spend $1.25 billion this year to expand its capacity. Like many other Taiwanese chipmakers, Powerchip doesn't have any chipmaking plants in China. But Powerchip is hoping for Taiwanese government permission to expand there.
Company Info
| STOCK INFO | NA |
| Revenues* | $1.7 BILLION |
| Revenue Growth | 150.0% |
| Return on Equity | 28.3% |
| Total Return | -0.4% |
| Profits* | $639.6 MILLION |
| Industry | SEMICONDUCTORS |
| CORPORATE WEB SITE | |
All figures are for the most recent available 12 months.
* Latest available data for the 12-month period ended Dec. 31, Jan. 31, Feb. 29, Mar. 31, or Apr. 30. For companies that do not report quarterly, the most recent annual data were used.
Data provided by Standard & Poor's Compustat, BusinessWeek
Chipmakers' Problems Are Speeding Up
The Coming Chip Revolution
Why Taiwan Matters
Company Snapshot
Powerchip Semiconductor Corp. engages in the development, manufacture, packaging, testing, foundry, and sale of various types of IC products. The company focuses on the manufacture of memory chips. It also provides wafer manufacturing services and IC foundry services. Powerchip markets its products and services in the People’s Republic of China, Asia, and the United States. Powerchip was established in December 1994.
No. of Employees
NA
Data provided by 
Frank Huang
Bio
Frank Huang serves as the Chairman of Powerchip Semiconductor Corp. Previsouly, Mr. Huang was the Chairman of Umax Data System. Mr. Huang holds a Ph.D. from Mount Sinai School of Medicine.