The death of Powerchip founder Huang Chung-jen has brought to light a relationship of mutual support in Taiwan's semiconductor industry spanning three decades, and reminded observers of how TSMC shaped the industry's overall landscape at critical moments.

• Huang died of cardiopulmonary failure on July 31 at the age of 76. Morris Chang, 95, will serve as honorary chair of the funeral committee.
• In 1999, when Powerchip faced the threat of being acquired by UMC, Huang went directly to Chang for help. Two days later, TSMC agreed to let its subsidiary Vanguard International Semiconductor form an alliance with Powerchip.
• The alliance allowed Powerchip to convert its older 8-inch fabs to foundry work, taking on orders that TSMC could not absorb, which gave it revenue even during the memory market downturn.
• After the 2008 financial crisis, Powerchip carried NT$120 billion in debt and was delisted in 2012. Once the debt was repaid, the company shifted to foundry services and relisted in 2021 as Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation — a name that was itself a tribute to Chang.
• In 2023, when TSMC sought to build a CoWoS advanced packaging plant in Tongluo, Miaoli, Huang voluntarily gave up the land, saying he was repaying the kindness he had received years earlier.

Outlook: Who will lead Powerchip next, and whether it can hold its position in mature-node processes and the packaging supply chain, will be a key focus for Taiwan's semiconductor industry in the near term.