Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) has successfully resumed full operations at all of its sites following a temporary evacuation prompted by an earthquake, according to an emailed statement. The company assured that, "Post-earthquake structural inspections have been completed at all sites, confirming the safety of the structures, and operations are gradually being restored. Currently, the water supply, power, and workplace safety systems are functioning normally, and all TSMC locations are operational. Detailed inspections and impact assessments are ongoing."
An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Taiwan around midnight, primarily affecting a mountainous rural area, resulting in minor damage. Taiwan's fire department reported that 27 individuals received medical treatment in hospitals for their injuries.
In response to the quake, TSMC, a critical supplier of advanced chips to leading technology companies like Apple and Nvidia, had evacuated personnel as a precaution from certain facilities in central and southern Taiwan.
The company noted that its construction sites were unaffected and maintained regular operations after conducting environmental safety assessments.
During the recent fourth-quarter earnings announcement, Wendell Huang, TSMC's Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, highlighted that the company's performance in the quarter was bolstered by robust demand. Looking ahead to the first quarter of 2025, he mentioned that their business would likely be influenced by smartphone seasonality, though this impact would be partially mitigated by ongoing growth in AI-related demand.
