Junko Yoshida
4/18/2013 1:21 PM EDT

SHANGHAI, China – Quick: Name a semiconductor manufacturer that runs a school and a real estate business along with their foundry service.

There’s only one--Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp. (SMIC), based in Shanghai.

Founded in 2000, SMIC symbolizes China’s ambition to become a key player in the global semiconductor industry. SMIC also developed a template for successful recruitment of world-class talent, by building close to its headquarters a residential campus together with an award winning K-12 international school, which as of 2012 had an enrollment of more than 2,000 students.

The big idea of developing a residential campus complete with school came from Richard Chang, SMIC’s founder. Chang, even long after he left the company, is still adored and respected by many of SMIC’s employees and the high-tech community in China.

To attract to China and SMIC talented people the world over, Chang figured out that it’s important to go beyond the usual financial incentives. At the inception of SMIC, he offered optional housing and educational programs for those with families. The package clicked with many executives who weren’t initially sure about taking a job in China.

The road SMIC has traveled thus far, however, has been treacherous. The company suffered from decade without profits, lawsuits filed by its rival, and sudden management changes in recent years. Although SMIC still needs to close the gap with the world’s leading foundry companies such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and GlobalFoundries, the company’s business seems picking up long at last, under the current CEO, Tzu-Yin Chiu.

Read full article at EETimes.com
http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4412244/Slideshow--This-ain-t-Foxconn-dormitories