U.S tech giant Apple recently released a list of the top 200 suppliers in 2020 and it shows the presence of a number of Chinese suppliers. In the wake of the trade dispute between China and the US, Apple began moves to shift the bulk of its iPhone manufacturing from China to other countries like Vietnam. While there was a reduction in the number of suppliers in 2019, the numbers of Chinese manufacturers that are part of Apple’s supply chain increased to twelve in 2020, the official record shows.
The top 200 list is also a pointer to the increasing importance of mainland Chinese manufacturers in Apple’s supply chain. In terms of regions, mainland China has the highest number of new companies added to the list.
In Taiwan, China, six new companies were added and six companies were also removed. The newly added companies include the leading thermal module companies Shuanghong, Kangkong, GIS, Maolin, Jiaze, and Jing Technology. While Zhenglong, Pegatron’s Fuyang Technology, and TPK’s mainland subsidiaries – Jingjia Optoelectronics, Darfon, Meilv, and Mingxiang Technology didn’t make it as Apple suppliers in 2020.
Further, Hong Kong-based supplier, Shanghai Industrial Holdings returned to the supply chain list after its removal the previous year. However, domestic suppliers Artesyn Technology, Cathay Pacific, and Chuangliang Technology were absent from the list.
The list also shows that Apple has got some new suppliers in the US and this includes Universal Semiconductor. On the other hand, Viavi Solutions, known for the supply of vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) components, and Cypress Semiconductor were removed from the list.
Japanese manufacturers SMK Group and Sharp Group subsidiary Kangdazhi, as well as Japan Seiko, and others were removed. were removed. Toshiba was replaced by the split Kioxia, and NGK Special Ceramics also made it into the list of new suppliers.
Apple also added a new South Korean component manufacturer – Samsung Electro-Mechanics, a supplier of RFPCB while soft board manufacturer Interflex was removed, apparently replaced by Chinese suppliers.
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(source)
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