Time has entered 2016, and the 23rd floor of Yike welcomed guests on the first day of the new year in the Gregorian calendar. Bingxin CEO Qiu Ciyun and special consultant Zhang Rujing came to the door together.
Fang Zhuo spent two days digesting the non-binding photoresist breakthrough expectations and did not tell others about the news to avoid unnecessary pressure on Xinyang, but he still shared the latest situation with these two.
Qiu Ciyun was recuperating due to illness recently, and Zhang Rujing had just returned from Qindao. When they heard the news, they were stunned, and then asked whether it was true or not.
"As long as we talk in private, it won't necessarily matter." Fang Zhuo said.
Qiu Ciyun and Zhang Rujing knew best what changes this breakthrough in time would bring. Neither of them spoke, but just drank tea calmly and silently.
Zhang Rujing was drinking and suddenly said: "Why are your hands shaking?"
Qiu Ciyun replied steadily: "I have just recovered from a serious illness. My hands are shaking a little. What's wrong?"
He asked back: "Why are your legs dangling there?"
Zhang Rujing explained: "After riding all the way, I am old and my blood is not flowing smoothly. I swayed. This is normal."
Fang Zhuo smiled and said nothing.
The two looked at each other and sighed in unison.
Qiu Ciyun turned his head and said to the other manager: "Mr. Fang, since there is no guarantee, you should keep it in your heart and wait until there is definite news before telling me. This gives people hope but does not give clear hope... It is better not to tell me.
"
Fang Zhuo laughed loudly: "You can't just let me suffer. The things I've suffered recently have made me lose weight."
Qiu Ciyun shook his head and put down the tea cup.
Zhang Rujing got up and paced around the office.
He walked a few steps and came to the desk. He saw the four words pressed under the glass, which were "Keep Progress" presented to Mr. Fang by Dr. Jiang Shangzhou.
"Mr. Fang, alas, it's so difficult to maintain progress." Zhang Rujing sighed, "You said you just established the company, why did you come up with such an interesting slogan?"
Fang Zhuo replied: "The original intention of young people is good. If things don't get done, no one will remember them. But if things get to this point, everyone will feel good about it."
Zhang Rujing stared at the words under the glass.
Fang Zhuo was quiet for a while and then broke the silence: "Dr. Liang has arrived at SMIC. He is still confident in the research and development of 10nm. But now I am suddenly worried about something. Once SMIC becomes a member of Yike's supply chain, it will immediately
We must follow in the footsteps of ice cores.”
Zhang Rujing nodded solemnly: "This is a problem. The mainland's semiconductor industry will inevitably face more stringent measures. If you say dumping or not, people won't listen."
Qiu Ciyun, who was standing next to him, said: "The main reason is that the blockade is effective quickly and can immediately satisfy all opinions."
Fang Zhuo made an objective statement: "SMIC has many overseas customers, and most of the equipment purchased every year is from the United States. The subsequent situation is still quite severe, and more integration of resources is needed."
Zhang Rujing nodded in agreement. 35% of SMIC's annual revenue in 2015 came from the North American market. Once it is restricted, it will inevitably be significantly weakened.
Moreover, like ice core, the yield rate will be affected, and because SMIC has more American equipment, the impact of this part will also expand.
He thought about it and said: "SMIC's problem..."
Qiu Ciyun was thoughtful, suspicion was evidence, and suddenly said: "Mr. Fang wants your core!"
Zhang Rujing looked back at Mr. Fang who picked up the teacup and drank tea again.
Fang Zhuo took a sip of tea, glanced helplessly at Qiu Ciyun, who had not talked about this matter, and said: "It's not whether or not, but I am thinking about how to be more powerful to face greater challenges in the future. Now I am not Bingxin For one family’s affairs, we must unite and gather all the strengths of the industry.”
Zhang Rujing looked at Mr. Fang for a while, then suddenly smiled and said: "You are quite particular. If you want to acquire SMIC, why don't you say hello to me?"
He expressed his position: "You are a shareholder of SMIC and you are the leader. If you have nothing to do, you can shout the slogan of 'we are united' and want to merge. If you think this is conducive to development, then do it. What can I say against it?" of."
Although as a founder, I do have feelings for the company and the name, but this situation is unusual now, what else can I say?
Fang Zhuo walked up to Mr. Zhang and patted his arm: "Mr. Zhang, I'm not really saying that I'm going to acquire SMIC. I'm just thinking about how we all should deal with this situation."
He continued: "I have been reflecting on whether there are any problems with my ideas and practices this week. Dr. Liang's idea to lead the team to SMIC to tackle 10nm came from Professor Hu. If he hadn't come to Shanghai to talk to me in person, I'm afraid it wouldn't be possible. There will be no such move."
"To be honest, a person's energy is limited. Yi Ke and Bing Xin have all kinds of things to do every day. Professor Hu's reminder is very important. I was actually very nervous during this period, for fear of doing something wrong. Something was not done enough.”
Zhang Rujing looked at Mr. Fang with deep eyes: "Mr. Fang, you can do whatever you want. No matter what you do, who can still be unconvinced? Who dares to point fingers, I will be the first to come and tie him in front of you. .”
Fang Zhuo laughed dumbly: "Mr. Zhang, hey, you are talking as if Bingxin is really going to acquire SMIC. It hasn't happened yet. Now let's take a look at Xinyang's progress, secondly, Dr. Liang's process, and thirdly. I only think about the efforts of domestic manufacturers."
"The Shadowless Thing".
"Just that thought".
Zhang Rujing nodded and didn't say much more on this topic. As mentioned just now, whether it was his own position or the situation of the domestic semiconductor industry, SMIC allowed Mr. Fang, the de facto leader of the alliance, to do whatever he wanted to do. Whether you welcome him, half push him away, or half accept him, just let him go.
However, the main purpose of his trip here was to accompany Qiu Ciyun to listen to Ice Core's strategy of changing companies, and to hear Liang Mengsong's plans for 10nm research and development and Ice Core.
Xinyang's unguaranteed breakthrough is an unexpected surprise, while SMIC's acquisition without a trace is an unexpected surprise.
Zhang Rujing digested the surprise for a while and then talked about 10nm again.
Ice Core's research and development of advanced processes became a multi-line process a few years ago, and internal work on 10nm has already begun after the first generation of 16nm was launched.
However, due to the arrival of Ami's strict selection, Ice Core's positioning on this process needs to be changed. Originally, it was intended to use it as a transitional process technology, but now it needs to consider its positioning.
Ice core cannot make the best theoretical choice, and can only make better choices based on the current situation. Under the entire system, the ice core process begins to play an increasingly technical enabling role, and is increasingly needed. Expand in various fields.
Fang Zhuo chatted with Zhang Rujing for a while about the research and development of ice cores, and then talked with Qiu Ciyun about the work he needed to be responsible for at the moment. Considering his health, Defa did not need to go there. He had communicated with the upper management there, and the overall foundation was It is still relatively stable.
After the three chatted for a while, secretary Liu Zonghong suddenly knocked on the door and came in, saying that Bowman, senior vice president of DuPont, wanted to have a phone call with his boss.
Fang Zhuo was a little puzzled by the call from DuPont. Neither Yike nor Bingxin had any business dealings with DuPont. However, at this time...
After getting through on the phone, he did not exchange pleasantries and asked directly: "Has DuPont obtained a license to cooperate with ice cores?"
The photoresist market is dominated by American and Japanese manufacturers. The only American manufacturer here is DuPont, which has a global market share of 17%. However, Ice Core gradually avoided American suppliers a few years ago, and its relationship with DuPont ended cooperate.
"Mr. Fang, we also want to get the license, but... this is a very difficult thing now. Washington is more interested in how to destroy the ice core." Bowman's tone was full of regret, "They are more interested in how to destroy the ice core. After seeing Bingxin’s embarrassment in June, I want to see your regrets.”
Fang Zhuo wasn't even interested in talking about this, and asked flatly: "What's the purpose of your phone call?"
Bowman felt that Mr. Fang had no intention of greetings at all, and hesitantly asked: "Mr. Fang, have Chinese manufacturers made a breakthrough in ArF photoresist?"
"Why do you ask this?" Fang Zhuo felt a little strange, but his words remained calm.
"Just looking at Mr. Fang and Yike, Bing Xin is very...very..." Bowman struggled to find the right words to describe the situation he felt, "Calm."
He confirmed: "Yes, calm down, Yike has lost the huge US market, Bingxin has been blocked by various measures, and both companies have suffered huge losses in stock prices, but I noticed that Mr. Fang also issued a Countdown to return, hey, so, I think it’s necessary to make this call and we need to have a sincere discussion about future cooperation.”
"Since DuPont has no license, what is there to discuss now?" Fang Zhuo said, "If Chinese manufacturers make a breakthrough, what is there to discuss in the future?"
Bowman smiled and said: "Mr. Fang, it's not that DuPont hasn't worked hard. We immediately applied to BIS for a license to cooperate with ice cores. However, due to various factors, the license could not be approved, but this is not the case. It means that it will never be approved. If the Chinese manufacturer makes a breakthrough, that would be gratifying. As long as this breakthrough is real, DuPont's approval may be granted soon."
He waited for a few seconds, but did not see a response from Mr. Fang, and continued to lobby: "I very much agree that dumping is greater than blockade mentioned by Mr. Fang, and I also do not agree with the current policy adopted by Washington, but DuPont has nothing to do about it, and it is even more embarrassing. What people are worried about is whether this kind of measure full of political factors will spread on a wider scale?"
Although DuPont does not have a cooperative relationship with Ice Core, it still has other Chinese customers. The market cannot only look at the present, but also future expectations. The predictions under current circumstances are not good.
Today’s phone call is not just with the head of Bingxin, but also with the leader of China’s semiconductor industry.
Fang Zhuo listened to this call, which was both ridiculous and funny: "DuPont needs a breakthrough from Chinese manufacturers to put pressure on Washington, right? You guys are very scheming."
"Doesn't this prove your point, Mr. Fang? Only when the blockade really brings backlash will those bureaucrats face up to the consequences. Even if Chinese manufacturers make breakthroughs, the increase in production capacity will not be achieved overnight, and the quality of products will not be improved overnight. Yes." Bowman said calmly, "DuPont can provide products that meet the requirements of Ice Core, SMIC, Huahong and other companies at that time."
He continued to advise: "Japanese manufacturers are not trustworthy. BIS just waved their hands and they came to bite them. As long as DuPont can get a license, it must be an extremely effective license."
Today's call is to protect DuPont's own share, and it is also aimed at the market share of Japanese manufacturers.
Fang Zhuo fully understood what Dupont meant and said: "Then just wait, I hope Dupont can get the permit."
Bowman felt that Mr. Fang was hanging up the phone and spoke faster: "We at DuPont and Mr. Fang are looking forward to breakthroughs from Chinese manufacturers, but DuPont can provide more. Our EUV photoresist has been verified. This is the manufacturer and product." Advantage in the market.”
"Do you think SMIC can buy EUV, or will China also have a breakthrough in EUV?" Fang Zhuo asked with interest.
Bowman still had the same answer: "No matter what, we at DuPont and Mr. Fang are looking forward to this day. DuPont is always willing to compete fairly in the market. At the very least, it will be fairer than JSR Co., Ltd. and Tokyo Yinghua."
Fang Zhuo couldn't help laughing and ended the call.
When he relayed these contents to Zhang Rujing and Qiu Ciyun, he received comments such as "Dupont is so smart" and "it is too cunning".
"President Fang, you should also convey Dupont's expectations for Xinyang." Zhang Rujing said with a smile.
"They are already under a lot of pressure. If Xinyang makes a breakthrough, people from DuPont may be invited to the celebration banquet. This will also allow them to go back to Washington to talk to them. Don't think it's a trick to them," Fang Zhuo said.
Qiu Ciyun thought about the current situation: "I hope it will be as Dupont wishes."
DuPont's planning is also clear. Even if domestic products break through, they won't be able to take over the market for a while, and if it becomes a supplier, companies generally won't change it easily.
It is happy to see a situation of mutual checks and balances and competition, and sees opportunities to devour Japanese competitors, so it particularly hopes to obtain invisible permission from the leaders of China's semiconductor industry.
"We'll just wait for Xinyang." Zhang Rujing said before leaving.
Fang Zhuo patted Mr. Zhang on the shoulder: "Let's endure hardship together first."
Based on the present, the future has dawn.
…
AMD head Su Zifeng arrived in Shanghai, but she only came to meet and chat with Mr. Fang for a long time before hurriedly flying to Singapore.
Yike has withdrawn from the US market and is still facing some lawsuits. Therefore, the new products announced by AMD earlier had to be launched with the help of YA, a new computer brand from Singapore.
AMD will hold a press conference on January 16 to launch the Ryzen Ryzen series based on the new ZEN architecture. Ryzen 3, Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 will compete with competing products. They use the world's leading second-generation FinFET's 16nm process will radiate new and amazing vitality.
The Singaporean computer brand YA has been proficient in connecting with many American channels and hopes to grow in the market together with AMD.
At the same time, Schroeder, the president of Yike America, officially resigned, declined solicitations from many companies such as Google, and quietly founded a new company dedicated to using innovative interactive models and content distribution mechanisms to provide high-quality social media for American and European users. Serve.