Intel has given its clearest indication yet that external chipmakers are preparing to manufacture products on its 14A process. Speaking at a Deutsche Bank investor conference, CFO Dave Zinsner said customer discussions have progressed beyond evaluating process technology and are increasingly focused on how much production capacity Intel can provide.
“The engagements with customers externally from a foundry perspective have significantly increased,” Zinsner noted. Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan and his team are now meeting customers weekly, he added. “They’re moving away from just looking at data to thinking about, well, how much capacity can I get? What does that supply look like?” Although he stopped short of announcing a formal engagement, Intel has now reached a point where it has “conviction” for securing 14A external customers, Zinsner said.
The growing confidence in both technology and customer demand is one reason Intel recently raised around 23 billion dollars in new capital. The company expects to begin 14A risk production in 2027 and ramp to high-volume manufacturing in 2028. Given the long lead times for semiconductor equipment, Intel already needs to start placing orders and preparing production capacity.
