Apple in talks with suppliers to make MacBooks in Thailand – Nikkei
Business
Apple is trying to avoid probable loss due to tensions between Beijing and Washington.
BANGKOK (Reuters) - Apple Inc.is in talks with suppliers to make MacBooks in Thailand as part of the company's ongoing efforts to expand its manufacturing presence beyond China, the Nikkei reported on Thursday.
Suppliers involved in the talks already have manufacturing complexes in Thailand for other clients and are discussing possible assembly and production of components and modules for MacBooks, sources from three suppliers involved in the talks with Apple told Nikkei.
Apple has also been mass producing its Apple Watch in Thailand for more than a year, according to the report.
The iPhone maker did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
At least 18 suppliers including Compal Electronics Inc., Sony Group Corp. and Western Digital Corp. have operations in Thailand, according to Apple's latest supplier list.
Apple and its key suppliers have been shifting production away from China, where strict COVID-19 curbs disrupted Foxconn's biggest iPhone factory last year. Foxconn said last month it plans to ramp up investment outside of China.Apple is also seeking to avoid a hit to its business due to tensions between Beijing and Washington.
