Designed by Apple in California, Made in China
Apple’s primary manufacturer ( Yes Apple Outsources. ) No offense to those who thought the Apple Tree was a giant fort in Cupertino, CA filled with machinist, engineers, and buildings with smoke stacks as that’s just not the case. If you notice, one of the “word smithed trademarks” Apple has always placed on their product, when turn them around; on the back you will notice “Designed by Apple in California, Made in China.”
We’ve noticed a number of sources who have linked to video today regarding an interview that’s getting the “Inside Look” of the Foxconn factory. This is actually very strange, indeed. Why? Well, because Foxconn is similar to Google’s Search Algo; it’s “Locked up Tighter than Fort Knox.”
It’s not everyday, or hardly ever you will hear or see much coming from the employee’s of the Foxconn factory in China. In fact, during one of my trips to China in 2009 and another trip in 2010, I was actually getting to hear all of the “mess” about a few suicides of workers who held roles at the factory. There have been videos of guards, beating employee’s for not exactly sure “what for”, but we can assume for not abiding the information and intellectual property guidelines set forth from within the organization. It does seem to be a strange solution, but apparently Foxconn employee’s are now required to be bound by an agreement that says they will not commit suicide. I am not exactly sure where this would benefit anyone, or how it proves anything if in the event of a death of an employee, if and when it happens. It smells a bit fishy, but hey whatever keeps everyone safe and sound is good for me.
Another thing to note, is that it’s extremely risky but “Big Business” to sell or leak information from within the Foxconn walls, for things such as specifications of upcoming product dimensions, and is one of the ways, some of these case manufactures are able to get their cases tooled, and into production on launch date, behind Apple’s backs without prior approval. If you are big enough, Apple will give you specifications, but it’s an invite only type of thing.
Apple in the Media, for a Factory they do not own.
Apple’s been hit over time with work ethic, and environment problems in the facilities at Foxconn, and because of this I have some valuable insight or opinions as to whats what, and being that I’ve been working with China suppliers for over 3 years now, have been in 100’s of facilities and can pass my own judgement first hand. China, is big. Very big, and for anyone who hasn’t been out of the country, or to China themselves, there is nothing that can prepare you for your first trip . The constructions, buildings and the population, is beyond overwhelming that their are no words that could properly describe it. It’s just a different way of life, and there are so many people and not enough jobs to go around, and if someone wants to work they do have the choice of where to work. If an employee is not comfortable with the work place, why would they stay? Well, if you are an assembly line worker at Foxconn, sure you might get paid a quarter or more per hour over there vs working at other plants, but it’s not enough to “require” any employee to need to “stick it out” for the good or the bad. The media has built a wrongful opinion against the work ethics of Foxconn and one of the biggest complaints I have about these “Opinions” from the mass media, is that … If you haven’t been there, or even to china for that matter then how in the heck can you draw your own opinion. Foxconn is one of the CLEANEST facilities in China, I would be willing to bet they even have “Western” style toilets. ( That means U.S. , and anything west of China by the way and is a term frequently heard while in China. )
T.I.C. – “This is China”
Most facilities, do not have A/C , running/clean water, toilets, break rooms, or even windows in China. Believe it or not, it’s true and most factories even supplying some of the Largest companies out there such as Walmart, Best Buy, Sony, Microsoft, Dell, etc. Operate via facilities that range from all grades of “clean”. So if it’s because Apple is just big, and always in the spotlight then yes I can understand some attention, but it’s Actually Apple who has created Millions of jobs for the willing-to-work over in the “Eastern” areas. Just imagine how many batteries are being made for Apple, and Foxconn doesn’t directly produce their own power sources to my knowledge anyway, and that’s a whole not plant in the supply chain process with employee’s that are not accounted for just in Foxconn/Apple. To sum that up, This is China and it’s not like anyone would really ever expect. Give Apple some Credit.
Kissing up to the Masses
Below is a clip from the interview of the recent Foxconn walk through, and inside you will see some of the components for an iPhone being produced. While as mentioned earlier, this isn’t the “Norm”, we can only speculate this is to try and sway public opinion, in a way that shows Foxconn really is a great place to work, and employee’s enjoy their jobs. We have faith in the fact that Foxconn indeed is a great place to be, and is a much more comfortable working environment than compared to many of the other facilities within China’s.
Check out the eye candy in Foxconn !
