MacBooks May Become 'Assembled in Thailand' as Apple Diversifies Supply Chain

[icanhazmac]

So would I. So please explain how that could happen except in our dreams. Economic realities are what they are. Labor costs are what they are. How much more would you be willing to pay for that MacBook if it were assembled in the U.S. by union workers making $35/hr with healthcare, 401K, profit sharing, and all the other perks that are now considered entitlements here.

Why worry? We are told by the $15-$25 minimum wage folks that labor costs don't really contribute to retail costs so......

On topic though... glad to see a diversification of the supply chain and I still would be very happy to pay extra for products made in the US.

 

[mannyvel]

Assembled in the USA!

At some point the cost of doing final assembly in the US will be worth it, just to offset the launch day shipping costs. Even if it's a 20% savings the political benefits could be worth it.

At least all those people who were all "it's impossible to make XX outside of China because there aren't enough skilled people required" have been quieted. Let's face it, FoxConn used to hire kids to assemble iPhones. You need skills, but it's not like you need years of experience in micro-lithography to assemble things.

Thanks Trump! Before the Don the thought of leaving the People's Republic was considered insanity. Now it's a trend.

 

[BornAgainMac]

Yet people already complain about the high cost of macs. No way apple could make this happen economically

What if robots did it and was cheaper than human labor from any country?

 

[Return Zero]

Why is this political?

(I know why, I’m just asking a rhetorical question. Just because China is mentioned doesn’t mean it automatically has to be political. Man, the current public landscape is ridiculous. Pretty soon just saying “I like well designed and manufactured Apple products” will be political.)

The article mentions diversifying production locations in order to avoid tariffs. That's fairly political.

Also, even if the mere mention of China is worth garnering the political and social flag, that's nobody's fault but China's. It has nothing to do with the "current public landscape". China is brazenly trampling on human rights on a scale the world has seldom seen before. Acting like China is just another country would be irresponsible.

 

[GuruZac]

Will you now pledge to buy them at the higher prices that would occur for "built in the USA"?

I would. Why wouldn't I? Building in China hasn't done anything to benefit the American consumer long term. It's just paid for their military build up.

 

[ZZ Bottom]

Why is this political?

(I know why, I’m just asking a rhetorical question. Just because China is mentioned doesn’t mean it automatically has to be political. Man, the current public landscape is ridiculous. Pretty soon just saying “I like well designed and manufactured Apple products” will be political.)

Because CCP shills throw a fit, so to curb the influx of new account trolls they restrict it to established accounts with this mechanism.

 

[criticasm]

The cost is not labor. The process is highly automated. The cost is regulations.

yeah that's why Foxconn employs 1.3 million people to assemble Apple products, because it's just so automated.

 

[azpekt]

Will you now pledge to buy them at the higher prices that would occur for "built in the USA"?

Yes, I do.

I'd pay at least twice the price if MacBooks will be completely made & assembled locally, have Chuck Norris doing split on a TRex engraved on back and played star spangled banner riff by Hendrix on a boot up.

 

[brucewayne]

None of these alternate assemble sites are located in particularly stable democracies. It wasn’t that long ago that Thailand suffered a military coup.

Also not immune to natural disaster - there was a flood there about 10 years ago that caused a massive shortage on hard drives.

That said, glad Apple is moving away from its dependence on China. I would prefer (and pay more) for built in USA.

 

[SoldOnApple]

Thailand isn't likely to be involved in any major wars, not as an aggressor anyway, so this is smart.

 

[libertysat]

Chips
We must build more chips onshore

National security issue...

 

[crees!]

In other words, made in China or made in China. Lovely.

 

[libertysat]

yeah that's why Foxconn employs 1.3 million people to assemble Apple products, because it's just so automated.

Chinese labor is cheaper than building robots

 

[ChrisA]

I'd love to see them being made in USA.

Would YOU work in an Apple factory? Why not? Maybe because you already have a better job. That is what 95% of Americans would say.

So it would be impossible t build them in a place where you can't hire factory workers.

 

[The Barron]

Excellent move to wean off China. Good move Apple.

 

[brucewayne]

What if robots did it and was cheaper than human labor from any country?

If that were possible, wouldn't China have already made that investment?

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I would guess that means that Foxconn expects to be in Thailand in 3-5 years? ‘Cause it’s not like Apple’s going to be building a factory.

 

[dampfnudel]

I guess Tim is becoming more worried about getting a call someday from whoever happens to be the US president at the time and being told that because China attacked Taiwan, any product manufactured in China will be subject to a significant tariff or banned totally from being imported into the US. Samsung moved all smartphone production out of China because of this increasing risk in addition to rising labor costs in China.

 

[mikethemartian]

I'd love to see them being made in USA.

Remember Apple is one of those companies that don’t think most of us are technically competent enough to change a battery.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

they had to wait until Steve Jobs passed away before they could get in, but they finally got in and are now leaving their mark…

Steve was the one that shut down the Mac factory in the US. WELL before he died.

 

[Fred Zed]

Can’t wait until Flossy Carter does his smell test. Nothing smells nicer than sweet Thai chili sauce.

 

[Solomani]

None of these alternate assemble sites are located in particularly stable democracies. It wasn’t that long ago that Thailand suffered a military coup.

Manufacturing in USA is hardly profitable for Apple (Unions alone would force Apple to double its costs).

As an alternative I was hoping they would relocate to Central American republics... Guatemala, Honduras, Bitcoin-loving El Salvador, even Costa Rica, which is welcoming of American tourists.

I'd imagine it would be reciprocal... Apple factories would provide thousands of skilled jobs for those impoverished Central American nations, and hugely raise their standards of living. Also, Apple factories in Costa Rica is a very low geopolitical risk, since Costa Rica cannot militarily threaten the USA or Apple.... whereas China is a nuclear threat to the USA, and China has the easy ability to sink US Aircraft Carriers in the Pacific, and China can easily seize (nationalize) Apple factories in the event of a Pacific confrontation.

Lastly: if Apple provided thousands of skilled stable jobs to Central American republics, that means thousands upon thousands of families that will actually have less impetus to immigrate to the US illegally.

It's a win-win-win situation for the USA, Apple, and Central America, if you think about it.

 

[AF_APPLETALK]

I'd love to see them being made in USA.

Outsourcing was how TPTB "corrected" the economy to deal with inflation in the 70s and early 80s, which was caused by irresponsible spending on the Vietnam war.

 

[noone]

While "Made in USA" would be preferred, anything outside of China is better.

 

[asdfjkl;]

Can you say "Zero CovId lockdown policy"?