Is the end of the iFactory Girl upon us?

By Christian Zibreg on Jul 16, 2012

Despite ongoing criticism of poor labor conditions at its factories (sometimes likened to sweatshops), especially following The New York Times’ iEconomy series, the world’s largest assembler of electronics Foxconn could still be interested in replacing some of its one million low-wage workers with advanced industrial robots. Such an unprecedented switch wouldn’t be without pitfalls. Robots promise to make gadget manufacturing faster, way more reliable and potentially cheaper, but also render a ton of human workers obsolete in the process… Read More

 

Former Chimei Innolux president says Foxconn’s Sharp deal is for iTV

By Christian Zibreg on Jun 29, 2012

According to a former executive from Taiwanese supply chain, Foxconn’s recent investments into the Japanese electronics giant Sharp and its cutting-edge display factory is in fact part of preparations for a large-scale manufacturing of a rumored Apple television set, dubbed by the media the iTV… Read More

 

Sharp to begin delivering cutting-edge iTV panels to Foxconn in Q3 2012

By Christian Zibreg on Jun 21, 2012

Back in May, a report quoted Foxconn CEO Terry Gou as saying his company was “making preparations” to assemble a full-blown television set for Apple. It proved bogus when Foxconn issued a statement claiming Gou “neither confirmed nor speculated about Foxconn’s involvement in the production of any product”, but such an ambiguously worded denial only added fuel to fire.

According to a new rumor by Chinese news site 21cbh.com (via AppleInsider), based on talks with a Sharp executive and other sources at the company, Sharp will begin delivering LCD television panels to Foxconn in the third quarter of this year, for the specific purpose of assembling Apple television sets… Read More

 

Foxconn CEO says next iPhone will put Samsung’s Galaxy S III to shame

By Cody Lee on Jun 20, 2012

So this is rather interesting: Apparently Foxconn’s CEO Terry Gou has been sharing some of his famous words of wisdom lately, advising consumers to wait a bit before making their next smartphone purchase.

Speaking at the company’s annual shareholders meeting, Gou told investors to hold off on buying the new Samsung Galaxy S III, claiming that Apple’s next smartphone would put the handset to shame… Read More

 

Foxconn wants more Sharp shares, aims to beat Samsung displays on clearness

By Christian Zibreg on Jun 18, 2012

In another hint that Hon Hai Precision Industry, also known in the Western world as Foxconn, could be gearing up for mass production of a rumored Apple television set, Reuters now reports that Foxconn is in talks with the Japanese multinational corporation Sharp about increasing its stake.

This is interesting development as Foxconn in March bought an eleven percent stake in Sharp worth $844 million. The two companies now run Sharp’s cutting-edge display plant in Sakai, Osaka, leading some to speculate that Foxconn made the move on behalf of its biggest customer, Apple of California, which has long been rumored to be readying production of a full-blown television set, which Foxconn publicly denied… Read More

 

Labor watchdog says Foxconn sweatshops haven’t improved much

By Christian Zibreg on May 31, 2012

Labor watchdog Student & Scholars Against Corporate Misbehaviour (SACOM) today criticized Apple (again), arguing that conditions in Foxconn’s manufacturing facilities in China haven’t really improved following the FLA audits. In fact, they claim higher-ups continue to impose “humiliating disciplinary measures on workers”, audits be damned… Read More

 

Sharp to share know-how for new iPhone display factory

By Christian Zibreg on May 24, 2012

Well, we didn’t have to wait too long for the first fruits of a recent partnership struck between Asian product assembler Hon Hai Precision Industry, also know as Foxconn, and Japanese electronics giant Sharp.

According to a new report, Sharp will share its technological know-how with Foxconn’s new manufacturing facility in Chengdu that will produce display panels for Apple’s iPhone and other consumer electronics devices… Read More

 

Foxconn building high-tech $210 million Apple plant

By Christian Zibreg on May 21, 2012

A new report out this morning from Far East asserted that Hon Hai Precision Industry, also know as Foxconn, is investing $210 million in an upcoming plant in Huai’an city meant to help satisfy the ever-growing demand for Apple products around the world.

Though this one won’t be as big as Foxconn’s other plants in Shenzen where an estimated 200,000 workers churn out millions of devices each month, the new facility will employ 35,8000 workers… Read More

 

Foxconn denies making any comment regarding Apple TV set

By Cody Lee on May 14, 2012

It seems like rumors involving Apple’s secret TV project are getting debunked almost as fast as they are surfacing these days.

Just yesterday we found out that the Cupertino company is not involved in talks to purchase Loewe, a German TV manufacturer. And now Foxconn has deflated a rumor that its CEO confirmed the existence of an Apple TV set… Read More

 

Foxconn readying iTV manufacturing using Sharp’s cutting-edge display plant, CEO hints

By Christian Zibreg on May 11, 2012

Apple is working on a much-anticipated full-blown television set, Foxconn CEO hinted in a Friday interview with a Chinese newspaper. It should feature an aluminum body, Siri voice commands and a sophisticated camera for FaceTime video calling. Foxconn is the world’s largest contract manufacturer and Apple’s favorite partner that gets commissioned to assemble their products.

Oh, and remember when Foxconn recently acquired an eleven percent stake in Japanese giant Sharp? The deal led to a 50-50 joint venture concerning Sharp’s cutting-edge display plant. Well, that was “one of the preparations made for the new device”, Foxconn CEO said.

One of the preparations could also be Apple buying a stake in Foxconn. Also important, as we explained Apple is likely interested to tap Sharp’s technology to produce Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide (IGZO) panels for own-branded television set… Read More

 

Apple will tap its cash hoard to improve labor conditions in Foxconn plants

By Christian Zibreg on May 10, 2012

Apple is going to spend an unknown portion of its $110+ billion cash hoard toward improving labor conditions in manufacturing facilities run by its contract manufacturer Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Precision Industry.

This has been confirmed by Terry Gou, the CEO who runs Taipei, Taiwan-based Foxconn which assembles Apple products alongside Pegatron Technology, another Asian contract manufacturer… Read More

 

Want to see how an iPad is made? Watch this video

By Cody Lee on Apr 11, 2012

Earlier this month, Marketplace‘s Shanghai Bureau Chief Rob Schmitz found his way into Foxconn‘s Longhua facility, where many of Apple’s iPads are made. He’s only the second reporter ever to be allowed on to the company’s factory floor.

Schmitz uploaded a video of his visit to the plant today, which included a tour of an iPad assembly line and an inside look into the lives of Foxconn’s employees. Want to see how an iPad is made? Make sure to watch the clip after the break… Read More

 

Wondering when the next iPhone will launch? Ask a Foxconn employee

By Cody Lee on Apr 9, 2012

We know, we know. The iPhone 4S has barely been out for 6 months now, and rumors of the next handset are already getting out of control. Just this morning we’ve heard gossip regarding the unannounced device’s appearance and internals.

And now we’re looking at another report from South Korea’s Maeil Business Newspaper that claims to know when the next iPhone is going to land. According to its “source,” we can expect Apple to unveil its new handset in October of this year… Read More

 

Despite criticism, Apple is beating competitors in supply chain efforts

By Cody Lee on Apr 9, 2012

The New York Times published an interesting article yesterday regarding Apple’s efforts to improve working conditions in its supply chain. But unlike the report it ran earlier this year, which largely criticized the company, this piece praised Cook’s team.

After doing a little research, The Times found that Apple is far more transparent with its overseas factory audits and is doing more to correct violations than any of its competitors. In fact, a majority of the companies won’t even comment on the matter… Read More

 

Foxconn workers to get wage increases in July

By Christian Zibreg on Apr 6, 2012

Foxconn is the world’s largest (and Apple’s favorite) contract manufacturer. Despite criticism that it runs sweatshops, the truth is that Foxconn leads the charge in improving working conditions at its high-tech factories, at least compared to other large-scale production operations in China.

A new report citing company founder and CEO Terry Gou confirms that Foxconn has put forth a plan to increase salaries of its workers come this June. Conveniently, the news coincides with Apple CEO Tim Cook’s recent trip to China, as well as the rumored production of a sixth-generation iPhone… Read More

 

Does Apple have an obligation to create more American jobs?

By Cody Lee on Apr 5, 2012

At this point, it’s fairly common knowledge that Apple outsources its manufacturing work overseas. Labor is much cheaper in countries like China, where there are no minimum wage laws, so it’s a huge draw for companies looking to lower their costs.

But not everyone’s ok with this. CNN’s Clyde Prestowitz recently wrote an article entitled “Apple has an obligation to help solve America’s problems.” The piece is essentially about the company’s lack of job creation in the US, and what it should do about it… Read More

 

Apple rumored to make a massive $9.76 billion investment in Foxconn

By Christian Zibreg on Apr 4, 2012

Just as we’ve digested the news about Apple’s favorite manufacturer Foxconn buying an eleven percent stake in Japanese giant Sharp (apparently in order to better compete for display orders from Apple), a new report surfaced claiming the iPhone maker itself is considering investing a whopping $9.76 billion in Foxconn.

The sum would be enough for a 20 percent stake in the Asian manufacturing powerhouse. Is this why Tim Cook toured China a week ago? Surely an investment this big would let Apple have a greater say on working conditions in Foxconn plants.

The two partners would also get to collaborate more tightly on new projects that require in-depth knowledge of the intricacies behind large-scale operations run by Foxconn, Apple’s strategic manufacturing ally. Read More

 

Rumor: Foxconn recruiter says next-generation iPhone is coming in June

By Cody Lee on Apr 3, 2012

Macotakara points to a report this morning from TV Tokyo’s World Business Satellite. The TV show recently conducted an interview with a Foxconn personnel recruiter who had some interesting things to say about the next iPhone.

According to the blog, the recruiter told the news program that Foxconn is in the midst of a major hiring binge to prepare itself for production of Apple’s upcoming handset — a device, that he says, will be launching in June… Read More

 

Unhappy with reduced hours, Foxconn workers argue salary doesn’t cover basic needs

By Christian Zibreg on Mar 30, 2012

Following yesterday’s findings of the Fair Labor Association’s investigation into Apple’s supply chain, a report out this morning claims Foxconn workers are now concerned about their work hours being cut because they think the move will lead to lower wages.

Per FLA’s recommendations, Foxconn and Apple have reduced excessive work times to 49 hours a week, including overtime. The two partners have also tweaked salaries, a move they claim ensures workers don’t earn less amid reduced working hours.

But despite these long-overdue policy changes being put in place, Foxconn workers are not entirely convinced… Read More

 

The FLA publishes initial report on Foxconn factories: they aren’t sweatshops

By Cody Lee on Mar 29, 2012

Today, the Fair Labor Association published its highly anticipated report on the working conditions inside Foxconn’s factories. Apple joined the FLA earlier this year amidst an onslaught of criticism that it was neglecting its supplier responsibilities.

We’ve heard horror stories about what goes on inside the facilities where our iPhones and iPads are made — most of which depicted a sweatshop-like atmosphere with underaged workers. But the FLA’s report paints a different picture… Read More

 
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