Apple has asked Foxconn to move some iPad and MacBook manufacturing capacity from China to Vietnam, according to a recent report from Reuters. The production is set to start in the first half of next year at Foxconn’s Bac Giang province.
This latest report is in line with what Nikkei reported earlier this week, that Foxconn is planning a $270 million investment in Vietnam to expand its manufacturing capability.
Apple supplier Foxconn to move iPad and MacBook production from China to Vietnam
Following Apple’s earlier move to have AirPods and AirPods Pro made in Vietnam, the tech giant has reportedly asked Foxconn to expand in the country. It’s asked the supplier to move some part of both its iPad and MacBook assembly to Vietnam, though there is no confirmed date for the change.
According to the publication, Apple has asked Foxconn to do this as part of a move to reduce its dependence on China. “The move was requested by Apple,” an unnamed source told Reuters. “It wants to diversify production following the trade war.”
There have been no specific details about what portion of Apple’s production process will be moved to Vietnam. However, Reuters reports that Foxconn’s iPad and MacBook plant in Vietnam’s Bac Giang province is expected to begin production for the Cupertino tech giant in the first half of 2021.
The publication also reports that currently, all iPads are assembled in China. This would mean that it’s the first time the production process would be done in a different country:
“According to Taipei-based research group TrendForce, all iPads are assembled in China and so Foxconn’s move would mark the first time that the iPad has been made outside China.”
Foxconn has not confirmed the report as of right now. In a statement, the company said, “As a matter of company policy, and for reasons of commercial sensitivity, we do not comment on any aspect of our work for any customer or their products”.
via Reuters
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