Key Challenges of the
Semiconductor Industry

Maintaining the pace of Moore’s Law is increasingly difficult due to physical limits of silicon, requiring costly new materials and processes. Emerging technologies such as AI, 5G, and quantum computing demand innovative chip architectures, further increasing R&D complexity. Advanced packaging techniques, like 3D integration, add challenges in design and testing.

EIM Support: EIM acts as a strategic partner, leveraging its global experience and technical expertise to help companies navigate the complexities of modern semiconductor technologies and bring innovative, market-ready products to market faster and more efficiently – all done through the EIM Semicinductor Expert Executives in R&D, industrialization and creative, agile innovation – globally.

Developing and manufacturing advanced chips involve skyrocketing costs. Building new fabs can exceed $10-20 billion, while competitive pressure forces constant price reductions, challenging profitability.

EIM Support: EIM provides critical support from a select group of Semiconductor Expert Executives who offer specialised advice, as well as operational management, regarding various aspects of semiconductor manufacturing. Their global expertise ensures that companies can manage the complexities of building and operating semiconductor fabs. Through this tailored support, EIM enables companies to not only reduce costs but also increase profitability in a challenging economic environment.

Geopolitical tensions and trade restrictions limit access to critical technologies and materials, creating uncertainty. Efforts to localize supply chains require significant investments, while IP theft and cyber risks remain high.

EIM support comes NOT from avoiding these risks, however from the ability of EIM to deliver support for most of these issues on-site with LOCAL experts and managers – globally.

There is a global shortage of skilled semiconductor engineers and technicians, with rapid technological advancements exacerbating the talent gap. Continuous workforce upskilling is necessary, adding pressure on companies.

EIM support comes NOT from a pool of engineers and technicians, however, from highly skilled expert-managers for recruiting, internal training organization or preparing career path development for the own employees; also from coaching/developing of young “high potentials” in the own organization to help them grow on a “fast track”, helped by EIM senior expert-managers – globally.

The industry is highly cyclical, with demand swings influenced by economic conditions and technology cycles. Rapid changes in consumer preferences and price erosion from competition add further pressure.

EIM support comes from strategy, marketing and sales expert managers helping to exploit full market potential under difficult market conditions – globally.

Stricter quality standards and increased complexity make yield management more challenging, impacting profitability. Growing security risks require enhanced features (e.g. on-chip encryption) in semiconductor products, while regulatory compliance demands constant adaptation.

EIM support comes from expert managers for QM and Safety, also Cyber Security, helping to address these growing challenges – globally.

Semiconductor manufacturing is energy-intensive and requires large amounts of water, raising environmental concerns. Pressure to reduce energy consumption, emissions, and reliance on hazardous materials is increasing.

EIM support comes from a “handful” of ESG and also Semiconductor Expert-Executives helping in optimizing ESG management as well as the processes within the semiconductor fabs – globally.