With large clients buying products comes revenue. With revenue comes time and the chance to pursue R&D ventures likes 7 nano chips.
I live in Malta and while I dont work for GF I know many folks that do. No one I knew would ever admit it (NDA ussue), but it was widely reported that Gf had a chance for la major order with either Samsung or Apple. But, the chip yield didnt meet tge customers standards.
If true, the demise of GF Malta started there.