Apple Bringing Some Mac Production Back to U.S. in 2013

[MacRumors]

NBC reports that Apple CEO Tim Cook will announce during an interview airing on Rock Center tonight that the company is bringing some Mac production back to the United States.

In an exclusive interview with Brian Williams airing tonight at 10pm/9c on NBC's "Rock Center," Apple CEO Tim Cook announced one of the existing Mac lines will be manufactured exclusively in the United States next year. Mac fans will have to wait to see which Mac line it will be because Apple, widely known for its secrecy, left it vague. Cook's announcement may or may not confirm recent rumors in the blogosphere sparked by iMacs inscribed in the back with "Assembled in USA."

"We've been working for years on doing more and more in the United States," Cook told Williams.

Cook has more to say about the effort in a lengthy interview with Bloomberg Businessweek, noting that Apple is spending about $100 million on the effort.

It's not known well that the engine for the iPhone and iPad is made in the U.S., and many of these are also exported--the engine, the processor. The glass is made in Kentucky. And next year we are going to bring some production to the U.S. on the Mac. We've been working on this for a long time, and we were getting closer to it. It will happen in 2013. We're really proud of it. We could have quickly maybe done just assembly, but it's broader because we wanted to do something more substantial. So we'll literally invest over $100 million. This doesn't mean that Apple will do it ourselves, but we'll be working with people, and we'll be investing our money.

Cook also addresses several of the challenges Apple faces in bringing production back to the United States, pointing out once again that the educational system is not producing the expertise needed for major manufacturing in consumer electronics, but he hopes that Apple's effort can help spur progress in that area.

Article Link: Apple Bringing Some Mac Production Back to U.S. in 2013

[cmChimera]

Really good stuff.

[MyMacintosh]

Tryna save AAPL from the sell off thats going on. Will it work though?

[isacikgoz]

interesting, i think the production will be made by machines at least.

[ck2875]

I wonder how much of this is to have tighter control on supply chain leaks (i.e. There weren't any pics of the new iMac prior to reveal).

[copete]

I doubt we'll ever see iOS products manufactured in the USA. Apple generally does as much as they can to hide leaks (never works), but if manufacturing was brought to the States, it would make it that much more difficult.

[hamean]

It would have to be a smaller scale product, if it were exclusively manufactured in the US, so I'm guessing Mac Pro.

[Quu]

This is good news.

[LYFK]

I applaud the effort. To be honest, I feel that $100m is a drop in the bucket, but here's to hoping that number increases over time and creates even more jobs.

[Lesser Evets]

I bet that once you weigh up the training, the language barriers, the shipping, the return shipping, etc. etc. etc., the production is marginally cheaper in China. And it is probably too far away for tight quality control from the top execs. in the company.

Originally Posted by hamean

It would have to be a smaller scale product, if it were exclusively manufactured in the US, so I'm guessing Mac Pro.

Most likely, but I bet it could also be the iMacs.

[mozumder]

yep. new Mac Pros. Doesn't matter if they're super cheap, so they can be manufactured in the US.

[Mac-Mariachi]

As we´ve all seen, some of the current crop of new iMacs have been assembled in USA so it is very probable that the iMac is the line that will be produced in the U.S.

[legacyb4]

With all the shenanigans China pulls, I'm glad at least some companies are finally waking up and getting smart with their businesses!

[crazy4apple]

i wonder if i will able to see this interview in the UK

[extricated]

Very good.
Should open up a few more much-needed jobs here.

[thewitt]

Originally Posted by Lesser Evets

I bet that once you weigh up the training, the language barriers, the shipping, the return shipping, etc. etc. etc., the production is marginally cheaper in China. And it is probably too far away for tight quality control from the top execs. in the company.

In the labor intensive iPhone and iPad construction this is absolutely not true. Labor is a very large part of the cost, and training on the specific skills needed to assemble a phone is a relatively simple task.

The automated assembly lines that can be used on computer assembly require a higher skill level, larger capital investment, and can be run in the US.

[jessica.]

Originally Posted by copete

I doubt we'll ever see iOS products manufactured in the USA. Apple generally does as much as they can to hide leaks (never works), but if manufacturing was brought to the States, it would make it that much more difficult.

Leaks are more and more prevalent these days and they're proving to be quite accurate.

Glad they're bringing some back to the U.S. I'm all about cost-saving efforts but not at the risk pushing people out of work.

[sconnor99]

If it's an entire line then it has to be the MacPro?

[Rocketman]

I think it would have to be a headless Mac. Either the Pro or the Mini. With Pros made in Ireland I suspect they will honor that and produce the Mini here.

Rocketman

[rdlink]

Originally Posted by copete

I doubt we'll ever see iOS products manufactured in the USA. Apple generally does as much as they can to hide leaks (never works), but if manufacturing was brought to the States, it would make it that much more difficult.

I disagree. I believe the opposite is true.

[Eminemdrdre00]

I ordered the new 21" iMac last week and it's on the way from China...

[Werkfoto]

needless to say it will be the MacPro in a super slim design

[viperGTS]

Cook also addresses several of the challenges Apple faces in bringing production back to the United States, pointing out once again that the educational system is not producing the expertise needed for major manufacturing in consumer electronics, but he hopes that Apple's effort can help spur progress in that area.

Well Apple, if you love education as much as you say you do, why not put some of that huge pile of money you have back into the education system?

[Negritude]

OMG...it will be the Mac Pro.

[NoMoreSony]

"It's not known well that the engine for the iPhone and iPad is made in the U.S., and many of these are also exported--the engine, the processor."

Correct. The processor is made in the U.S. by the Samsung on Samsung's factory in Austin, TX.

But wait... Who said about distancing itself from Samsung as a part supplier?