Semiconductor foundries revenue share worldwide 2019-2024, by quarter

In the first quarter of 2024, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) recorded a market share of 61.7 percent in the global semiconductor foundry market, while Samsung occupied 11 percent of the market. In terms of revenue, the top ten semiconductor foundries worldwide generated 29.2 billion U.S. dollars in the first quarter of 2024. 

Semiconductor manufacturing process

The semiconductor supply chain can be categorized into roughly three distinct stages: design, fabrication, and assembly. Companies that perform all three of these steps are referred to as integrated device manufacturers, with examples including Intel and Samsung. Firms that only design chips, known as fabless IC companies, rely on chip manufacturers, or foundries, for fabrication.

Semiconductor foundries

Fabless companies work closely with the foundries – companies that manufacture chips in fabrication plants (fabs) – with the market leader TSMC contracted by a variety of companies. Founded in 1987, TSMC decided not to manufacture any products under its name so that the company never engages in direct competition with its customers. Under this strategy, TSMC became the world’s largest semiconductor foundry and a key supplier for large tech companies.