Fonderie
In brief
The factory that physically manufactures chips designed by others. Designing a chip and knowing how to manufacture it are two different skills. A foundry specialises in the latter, and such facilities are extremely rare.
▶ Precise definition
An integrated circuit manufacturing plant (foundry) that produces chips designed by third parties, in line with the fabless model. Cutting-edge capabilities are concentrated amongst a few players, foremost among them TSMC in Taiwan, making this a major source of strategic dependence.
See also