Foxconn Ramps Up Workforce By 50,000 In China Ahead Of iPhone 16 Launch
This surge in hiring is believed to be in preparation for the much-anticipated launch of the purported Apple iPhone 16 series, expected to debut in approximately one month.
There has been a significant uptick in hiring at iPhone maker Foxconn's biggest electronics manufacturing facility in central China. Over the past two weeks, the plant has added around 50,000 new workers to its workforce, the media has reported. This surge in hiring is believed to be in preparation for the much-anticipated launch of the purported Apple iPhone 16 series, expected to debut in approximately one month. Industry sources, as per Technode, citing Economic Daily News, suggested that production targets for iPhone 16 lineup could reach up to 95 million units.
Increased Wage Offerings
To attract workers, the factory has reportedly increased its wage offerings. Current hourly rates are said to reach up to 25 yuan (roughly $3.48), with additional incentives for longer-term employees. According to recruitment representatives at Foxconn, workers who remain on the production line for a full quarter may be eligible for a bonus of around 7,500 yuan ($1,045), the report added.
Such a large-scale manufacturing effort is likely to have widespread effects across the supply chain, benefiting various component suppliers and semiconductor manufacturers in the latter half of the year.
Insiders familiar with the situation report that the increased production demands have led to extended working hours. One employee mentioned that since mid-July, daily overtime has frequently exceeded two hours. These developments highlight the complex interplay between consumer electronics demand, manufacturing capacity, and labour practices in the global technology supply chain.
Foxconn Assembling iPhones And Google Pixel In India
Following Apple, Google is set to begin manufacturing its Pixel smartphones in India, with plans to export them to Europe and the US, reports suggested last month. The flagship Pixel 9 series is scheduled for launch in India on August 13. According to a report by Moneycontrol, a portion of Google's devices will be manufactured in India and made available in Europe. This production will be managed by two manufacturing companies, Foxconn and Dixon Technologies.
Meanwhile, Google has started manufacturing its Pixel 8 smartphones in India, marking a significant milestone in the company's ongoing commitment to the "Make in India" initiative. This development was announced by Google India through a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
Apple started the assembly of Apple iPhones at the Wistron plant in Bengaluru, which India's biggest conglomerate Tata Group has since acquired. With a current workforce exceeding 40,000 employees, Foxconn aims to double its workforce this year. The group has a turnover surpassing $10 billion in India and has made cumulative investments exceeding $8 billion in the country.
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