Rapidus’ semiconductor manufacturing technology (3): Rapid & Unified Manufacturing Service (RUMS)
Rapid & Unified Manufacturing Service (RUMS), proposed by Rapidus, tends to include OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test) due to the sound of the word unified. However, Rapidus does not appear to have made such a statement. RUMS meets the objective of addressing the complexity of semiconductor production and improving efficiency by centralizing processes from design to manufacturing and packaging. And that would be a new paradigm for semiconductor manufacturing.
In sectors such as defense, where unique semiconductor supply chains are themselves strategic assets, RUMS including OSATs may have significant advantages. The ability to quickly produce advanced semiconductors within a vertically integrated supply chain is also important in a national security context for Japan and its allied governments as they seek to develop future generations of semiconductor technology with trusted partners. It is an element. Vertical integration of services can also result in better protection of intellectual property, a more responsive supply chain, and closer alignment with government standards and requirements.
It is easy to think that Rapidus’ RUMS (Rapid & Unified Manufacturing Service) includes OSAT services because of the way the word sounds in overseas. And while this speculation is reasonable in the context of addressing Japan’s defense needs, it is not based on any specific statements from Rapidus. Additionally, in order to increase the efficiency of OSAT’s operations, it is necessary to accept work from multiple companies. .
There is a trend towards “pure play” operations in the global semiconductor supply chain. This is where different companies specialize in different segments of the production process (design, manufacturing, assembly, testing, etc.). Such specialization allows companies to focus on their core competencies, increasing efficiency and expertise in their respective segments.
However, this trend towards “pure play” operations and specialization does not preclude the adoption of vertically integrated approaches where this aligns with strategic objectives such as national defense or economic security. Particularly in defense-related applications, the benefits of a unified process (which may include design, manufacturing, and OSAT services) may outweigh the benefits of a traditional segmented supply chain. This integration provides better control over critical factors in defense applications, such as quality, intellectual property security, and rapid response to specific needs.
In summary, while pure-play models dominate the global semiconductor industry, companies like Rapidus may need to choose a more integrated approach to align with their strategic goals and customer requirements. . However, there has been no direct statement from Rapidus regarding the specific structure or components of RUMS. The debate over whether OSAT services will be included remains speculative.
