It’s Only Common Sense: Customers Capabilities—and Confidence
Marcy’s Musings: Operating Without a Rulebook
Beyond the Board: How a Diminished Supplier Base Affects Complex PCB Manufacturing Readiness in Defense
Taiwan Earthquake Shows Shows Minimal Impact on Wafer Fabs, But Tightness in the TV Panel Supply May Worsen in 1Q25
January 21, 2025 | TrendForceEstimated reading time: 1 minute
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck southern Taiwan, with its epicenter in Chiayi, at 12:17 AM on January 21, 2025. TrendForce’s preliminary assessment found that nearby wafer fabs had not suffered significant damage.
TSMC and UMC’s Tainan fabs, which experienced seismic intensity levels above 4, initiated immediate personnel evacuation and equipment shutdowns for inspections. While no critical equipment damage was reported, unavoidable debris was generated inside furnace equipment. Tainan, a key hub for panel manufacturing, may face disruptions that could exacerbate the already tight TV panel supply situation in 1Q25.
TrendForce notes that TSMC operates an 8-inch fab and two 12-inch fabs in Tainan, producing a wide range of technologies from mature nodes to advanced 5/4nm and 3nm processes. UMC runs a 12-inch fab in the region, supporting nodes from 90nm to 14nm. Operations at these facilities began resuming on the morning of January 21, with TrendForce noting that the earthquake’s impact on actual production appears to be within controllable limits.
While the Tainan fabs produce a diverse range of products, the overall utilization rate for mature processes is currently at 70–80%, reflecting the seasonal lull in component demand. This provides significant flexibility for production adjustments. For advanced nodes, TrendForce believes most current wafer starts are for inventory preparation, and the short downtime or minor debris impact can be easily mitigated. As a result, no significant disruptions are anticipated.
Tainan is home to major display manufacturer Innolux, with key facilities including Fab 2, Fab 3, Fab 5, Fab 6, and Fab 7, while nearby Kaohsiung hosts Fab 8, Fab 8b, and T6. Due to the age of some of these plants and the intensity of the earthquake, several Tainan fabs reported equipment shutdowns, with the extent of damage still under evaluation.
TrendForce warns that this event could further strain the already tight TV panel supply in 1Q25, compounding existing challenges for the display industry.
Share on:
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
PCB Technologies to Exhibit at PCB East 2026
04/23/2026 | PCB Technologies Ltd.Issey Ende, PCB-Technolgies’ VP of Sales and Marketinghas announced that his company will be exhibiting at this year’s PCB East 2026, the premier East Coast conference and exhibition for the electronics design, fabrication, and assembly industry on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at the DCU Convention Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.
GreenSource Fabrication to Exhibit at PCB East 2026
04/23/2026 | GreenSource FabricationGreenSource Fabrication, the N. American industry’s most advanced, state-of-the-art printed circuit board manufacturer, today announced that it will be exhibiting at PCB East 2026, on Wednesday April 29,2026 at the DCU Convention Center 50 Foster Street in Worcester, MA.
Women in Technology: Learning to Just Be Myself
04/21/2026 | Michelle Te, I-Connect007Approximately 100 women and a handful of men gathered for a Women in Electronics evening event at APEX EXPO. As I wandered among the tables before it started, I stopped to chat with several women all wearing purple and white polo shirts emblazoned with the TTM logo. It turns out they are part of TTM’s Women in Technology Group, so I sat down and invited them to share their thoughts on coming to the event and what it means to be part of the electronics industry.
Fresh PCB Concepts: Designing PCBs for Harsh Environments—Reliability Is Engineered Upstream
04/23/2026 | Team NCAB -- Column: Fresh PCB ConceptsWhen engineers hear the phrase “harsh environment,” they usually think of the extreme temperature swings, vibration and shock, pressure changes, or radiation in aerospace. However, aerospace is not the only harsh environment where electronic assemblies must survive. Automotive power electronics, downhole oil and gas tools, marine controls, rail systems, defense platforms, and industrial automation equipment all expose PCBs to environments that are equally unforgiving. The stress mechanisms may differ, but the physics does not.
Volatile Metals Market Creates PCB Pricing Headache
04/20/2026 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Market volatility for precious metals is very real. Financial organizations have reported elevated volatility, with record highs and steep corrections; in 2025 alone, gold has increased by over 60%, silver over 120%, and copper over 35%. Each is a critical raw material used in electronics manufacturing, where pricing is already fraught for business owners and their customers due to tariff uncertainty and a critical supply chain that resides mostly in China. The volatility of precious metals markets adds yet another layer of complexity for manufacturers, pushing up raw material costs.