Thread regarding GlobalFoundries layoffs

Awww, c'mon guys. Give BigPivot a break. He's probably panicking because he knows everyone who has worked in the industry for other companies, and isn't a new college grad know-it-all like him speaks the truth. He's probably been looking for jobs, but no one gives him a second look. I guess all he can do is hope his lies will magically become truth. Those of us saying Fab8 is done know better. I give Malta two years tops before that parking lot is empty except for occasional security patrols. Could be three, but that's probably wishful thinking.

Yeah who has "wishful thinking", Mr Fab8 is "buzzing with a new energy"? Intel is farming out to TSMC for their 14/16nm products now because they need the capacity, that's why put the comment there (there's this thing called the internet, look into it) and SAID IT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE. Samsung could use it and grab the GF volume but I spelled out before why IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. SO you chastised me for agreeing with you, id--t.

UMC, are you kidding me? Do you understand economics and business agreements? Samsung's 14LPP licensing arrangement is with GF, not UMC. No way UMC is going to get 14LPP license from Samsung. They claim to have their own 14nm FinFET process, we'll see. So they would have to transfer a barely (if at all) working process to completely different set of tools, not likely. Besides UMC has no money to spend, they are propped up by Taiwan government (similar to GF). So where's your reasoning behind UMC? I have no "wishful thinking", you are the one that implied any company would be CRAZY not take this fab at rock bottom prices, then you throw out only ONE company that is in worse shape than GF as the potential buyer. Be consistent.

I never claimed there was going to be another layoff. There were 2 within 3 months - (really just barely over 2 months - end of June and end of Aug - 1+1 = 2 - got it?) You also never addressed the other questions but, then again, you have to get that schnoz back in place.

No one will buy Malta. They have two years or so left in them with 14LP. Yield numbers, sc-ap rates are well below industry standards due to a lack of inhouse expertise and disconnected management.

I've been in the industry for 20 years, worked at GF for 3, and never saw money spent on tool purchases and installs at inflated prices only for management to change direction on a program and request the tools be idled or shot down indefinitely. At a normal company, heads would be flying for this kind of waste and lack planning, but Mubadala only woke up to their investments being acted like this at Fab 8 this year it seems. And they are looking to cut their losses now. Most likely, after 14LP is done, the fab will.need to be shuttered. Why buy it, if you.can build cheaper and up to more modern standards in China?

Again with the random speculation. You claim Intel "could use" fab8? Nope wrong. Samsung? Again you are 100% wrong. If you said UMC then I might have thought you we're not completely brain dead. UMC would be the most likely buyer of any GF fab. But then again, GF might be the most likely buyer of any UMC fab. All speculation. Notice how normal people don't mix up their wishful thinking and reality? Try it sometime. Are you the ones claiming to "be in the know" about some layoff next year?

The problem with GF is that they have been laying off their most experienced technologists based on pay and all they have left in increasing numbers are recent college grads who get promoted into principal engineer or management positions after only 2-3 years in the industry. So the problem solved are gone and all that is left are inexperienced engineers with inflated titles and a management team with a history of failing. Mubadala is trying to get rid of this operation, but other than EFK and Burlington, the human capital is not there. As for Fab8, it no longer is the most cutting edge fab with a production setup that is no longer being kept up to the latest standards to maximize volume output (which is already behind where should be in the industry).

Yo, BigP! Do you really not believe that Muabadala is not trying to sell GF? I am not sure about "rock bottom" prices but it is quite clear that the piggy bank has been hidden back in Daddy and Mommy's closet. The only company who could use the fab right now is Intel to keep up their 14 (or is it 16) volume while they work out the 10nm "bugs". However, given the way Intel works (exact match) it would require replacing just about everything in the building so makes no economic sense. Samsung doesn't want it. It's in their best interest to see it falter to get their own 14LPP prices up rather than trying to get more volume on a technology with falling ASPs (=lower margin).

What is the purpose of all the extreme cost cutting? I've been in this industry a long time and this inevitably is a sign of a company looking for a suitor. (I'm not the facilities guy, just a long-time technologist who has worked on the 20, 14 and 7nm teams at Fab8)

Why bring in a "closer" for CEO (look at your man TC's history with Ausra)?

Why no more acquisitions since IBM, but "spinoffs"? First, ASICs and next probably Silicon Photonics or RF.

As AMD moves to 7nm, what will make up the volume at Fab8?

Just saying "Pivot", doesn't answer any of these questions and I don't think the SLT has done that either. Everything is all tea and crumpets until the next round of hundreds getting laid off. Haven't they been telling us things are so great but then we got 2 HUGE layoffs within 3 months during that same "peak production" and "US tech production on the upswing"? Seems you're off point as well.

Wow this is just sad. So as a retired facilities engineer from EFK site, you are in position to know exactly nothing about whether fab8 is, was, or will ever be for sale. Thanks for clarifying that and proving me right. You don't know what you're talking about. While we're at it can your retired school teacher wife chime in and help GF's integration team solve some 12FDX device issues. That'd be terrific. Mmmmmm kay.

I retired on the old pension, something you will never have, Mr. Pivot. My wife is a retired teacher. I do not need to work, unlike yourself. Fab8 is a sow's ear. Shoddy construction is one reason for your failure rates. I was a facilities engineer, so I know all about how that place was built. Impurities in the gases, leaks, delivery failures. At least Fishkill was a quality build, yet no one wanted them either. The SLT is the problem. I doubt you are SLT. You are probably a new college grad who is too wet behind the ears to recognize reality. Stick with GF there kiddo. Ride that ship to the bottom of the sea. It will do wonders for your career.

This makes no sense. Right, there is this big 14nm fab for sale during the peak of 14nm production and its being offered at a rock bottom price and no one wants to buy it. On top of this, US tech production is on the upswing due to China tariffs. So we have a 14nm fab on US soil that no one wants to buy in a great economy and some how you link this to IBM sale and execs who are applying for jobs but just haven't gotten around to leaving yet. OK there buddy! Really this is supposed to be all kinds of smart and on point? That's a pretty low bar for being on point. In fact I think this is wishful thinking and that's all it is. How about this theory...its not been sold yet because its not for sale. Clearly you're still bitter from being laid off, and you're spiteful and hoping the fab fails so it will make you feel better. You're confusing reality with what you hope will be reality. Cheer up and think positive, I'm sure you'll get another job some day. You can do it! Now get out there and Pivot!