In the context of the deep adjustment of the global semiconductor industry, the US chip manufacturer Microchip Technology recently disclosed a major strategic adjustment. The company's second wafer fabrication plant (Fab 2) in Tempe, Arizona, has officially started the asset disposal process, marking the critical implementation phase of the previously announced manufacturing restructuring plan.

 According to the newly disclosed asset disposal plan, the Fab 2 wafer manufacturing site contains not only a complete set of active semiconductor production equipment worth hundreds of millions of dollars, but also a continuous operation of advanced process production line systems, which will be marketed and sold under the guidance of Macquarie's semiconductor and technology teams in the Commodities and Global Markets business unit.

 It is noteworthy that the plant's existing vehicle scale chip manufacturing system and characteristic process technology modules will be transferred to the Oregon Fab 4 base in the West Coast industrial belt of the United States and the Colorado Fab 5 base in the Rocky Mountain Industrial Corridor. These facilities remain key to Microchip's long-term production and capacity plans.

 According to the plan disclosed in March, Microchip Technology will implement a global manufacturing network restructuring, including specific measures:

 1. Optimization of personnel structure: Phased reduction of about 2,000 positions, accounting for 12% of the total number of employees

 2. Operating expense compression: Target to reduce annual operating costs by $120 million by fiscal 2026

 3. Capacity layout adjustment: Close three 6-inch fabs and concentrate resources on developing 12-inch production lines

 4. Focus on the technical route: gradually exit the process above 90nm and focus on the development of 40nm embedded flash memory technology

 Microchip's strategic adjustment reflects a new trend in the semiconductor industry. According to Gartner data, in 2023, the asset-light transformation cases in the global semiconductor manufacturing field increased by 47% year-on-year, and many companies, including GE Chip and ON Semiconductor, have sold old fabs. Analysts point out that this shift stems from the need to restructure supply chains in the post-pandemic era, as well as geopolitical factors - the US Chip Act's $52 billion subsidy is pushing companies to concentrate production capacity in policy support areas.

 However, the industrial transformation also comes with risks. SEMI's latest report warns that the number of 8-inch fabs worldwide has shrunk to 167 from 191 in 2019, which could lead to a tightening of the supply of mature process chips.

 With the start of the Fab 2 disposal process, Microchip's strategic blueprint is becoming clearer. The company plans to release $350 million of capital to focus on third-generation semiconductor research and development and automotive electronics.

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