Add reference file: Semiconductor & Hardware Consulting

[DogInfantry]

What's needed

Semiconductors have become geopolitically critical and a major consulting focus post-CHIPS Act. McKinsey, BCG, and Bain all have active semiconductor practices. Not covered in the skill at all.

File to create

skill/references/semiconductor-hardware.md

What to cover

Industry economics

• Fabless vs IDM vs foundry models (TSMC, Intel, Samsung) and their margin profiles
• Leading vs lagging node economics: cost per wafer, yield rates, CapEx intensity
• Gross margins by segment: fabless (55–65%), IDM (45–55%), foundry (40–50%)
• R&D intensity: 15–25% of revenue for leading players
• Cyclicality: semiconductor revenue swings of 20–30% in downcycles (2022–23 correction)

Geopolitical and supply chain dynamics

• CHIPS and Science Act (US, $52B): what it funds, who benefits, what it means strategically
• TSMC concentration risk: ~90% of advanced (<5nm) logic chips from one company in Taiwan
• China decoupling: export controls (BIS Entity List, advanced chip restrictions Oct 2022 / Oct 2023 updates)
• Onshoring economics: US/EU fab cost premium (~40–50% vs APAC) and policy offset mechanisms

Common consulting engagements

• Supply chain resilience and multi-sourcing strategy
• Make vs buy for chip design (custom ASIC vs off-the-shelf)
• Post-merger integration after semiconductor M&A (Broadcom/VMware, AMD/Xilinx patterns)
• Government relations and CHIPS Act application strategy
• Demand forecasting and inventory strategy (bullwhip effect in semis)

Case interview angles

• Market entry: should a tech company design its own chip?
• Cost reduction: improving fab yield from 70% to 85% — what's the impact?
• M&A: rationale for a fabless company acquiring a foundry

Watchouts

• Lead times of 12–26 weeks make inventory strategy non-trivial
• IP moats are extreme — competitive analysis is harder than in most industries
• Engineering-heavy clients; consultants must earn credibility fast

Ideal contributor

Anyone with semiconductor industry experience, supply chain background in electronics, or consulting work in hardware/chips/electronics manufacturing.

Reference

See CONTRIBUTING.md for structure and quality bar.