Apple

• What is Apple?


  Apple is an American manufacturer of personal computers, smartphones, tablet computers, and computer software. It is probably one of the most recognisable brands in the world, and was the first populariser of the graphical user interface.
• Where is Apple HQ?

  Cupertino, California

  Apple also has Headquarters in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ireland, Singapore and lots more.
• Why has Apple taken manufacturing overseas?

  To reduce costs and improve efficiencies
• How many extra staff do companies need to source/re-allocate when Apple releases a new product?

  250,000
• What is FoxConn?


  Foxconn Technology Group is the worlds largest electronics manufacturer located in Taiwan and is the largest private employer in China with 12 factories in 9 cities.
• Why did China's tax authorities launch an investigation into FoxConn?

  FoxConn's founder announced that he would run in Taiwan's presidential elections. This is thought to be politically motivated.
• What happened to a Reuter's journalist?

  Dragged out of a car and beaten for taking photos from outside of the factory walls. The signs around the factories are often more aggressive than those outside Chinese Military Compounds.
• FoxConn is the single largest employer in China, how many people are on its payroll?

  1.3 million
• What is FoxConn known for?

  - Having 12 hour working days

  - Workers as young as 12 or 13

  - High levels of suicide, peaking in 2010

  - Having military grade operations

  - Managing workers' time to a stopwatch
• How much of the world's electronics does FoxConn produce?

  40%
• Describe the FoxConn facility


  Covers roughly one square mile, and is a city within a city, with its own banks, bakeries, fast food outlets and acupuncture clinics
• Benefits to developed countries of Apple

  - 2 million jobs created just in the US

  - Apple is the largest taxpayer

  - The development of the technology and the actual products themselves
• Negatives to developed countries of Apple

  - Eliminates a sense of competition for emerging businesses

  - They have a lot of power globally, but can have big impacts on what happens within developed countries
• Benefits to LICs and NEEs of Apple


  - The generation of jobs, concentrated in China with manufacturing

  - This has led to an increase in the economy, GDP and quality of life
• Negatives to LICs and NEEs of Apple

  - Poor working conditions in Shenzhen with long working hours and low wages

  - In 2010, many of the workers were poisoned by a toxic iPad cleaner, which affected the health of many workers as well as having a negative impact on the environment