Taiwan chip design support majors triple sales in four years

TAIPEI -- Taiwan's top three companies that support semiconductor design efforts of clients have seen combined sales more than triple in four years, bolstering the soaring U.S. tech industry and creating opportunities for homegrown foundries to produce chips.

Design service companies specialize in high-mix, low-volume semiconductors for specific applications such as home appliances, communications and servers. Engineers work closely with customers from design and development to commercialization to create custom products.