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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.