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Toshiba and Apple to Invest $1.2 Billion in Factory to Produce iPhone LCDs
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So let's support the rest of the world while millions here remain homeless and starving.
If millions of people are literally homeless starving in the US in large numbers I suggest you write to your representative to improve social security for the unemployed.
Yes, because we're all people. Americans aren't any more deserving of work than anyone else.
While Apple isn't interested in making the least expensive iDevice in any category, they still need to be within a certain competitive range of the lowest. So it's not possible to assemble in the USA or even within the North American continent unless the government changes the rules that would affect Apple and all if its competitors. For one company, Apple, to buck the trend against controlling the costs of their products in favor of American jobs, is suicide.
Investments, today, in component manufacturers, especially those components that affect the user price most significantly, is a wise move by Apple to insure a competitive position into the future.
Investments, today, in component manufacturers, especially those components that affect the user price most significantly, is a wise move by Apple to insure a competitive position into the future.
this news sounds good to me - toshiba/aapl partnership
now if only aapl could get intel/nvidia to get the integrated graphics thing happening
now if only aapl could get intel/nvidia to get the integrated graphics thing happening
Totally agree. However, whenever big money like this shows up in a domestic US plant, some union boss tries to get their share of the deal. This is why no mass market television sets are made in the USA now with everything going flat panel.
So far, the Toyota / Tesla deal here to restart the former MUNI plan is going well. They have done everything but shoot dead union bosses when they walk into the lobby to keep them from being a part of it.
Intel and other semiconductor has done a good job keeping the fab workers from being unionized by paying them better than union wages.
Well if you want union labor doing it you'd better be ready for a much lower standard of living.Personally I'd rather be exploited by my employer than some union thugs.
And this is the problem with you Americans who think the whole world works the same way as your lazy butts; Japan's construction industry is WAY more efficient and more technologically advanced than America's (because it has to be due to the lack of real estate there.) They could easily put up a building in 6 months tops. And in fact, I recently saw a science documentary about the new self-constructing building in Japan; builds a whole floor at a time in a few hours then raises itself up to build the next floor below it (control center is at the top floor which started as the first floor, all run by computers.)
But the point you are really missing (as is many here) is that it is Toshiba, a Japanese company, building a factory in it's home country.
And Apple DOES also invest in it's own home country as well; more retail stores in the U.S. than any other computer company, building that new huge Apple Campus, and that NC Data Center, all of which will create thousands of construction jobs and then later, permanent jobs for each of those facilities respectively.
But there is no way that factory jobs like this can be done here in America. The other myth about "Chinese sweatshops" was true for the clothing industry years ago (and in some parts, still true) but here again is what everyone is missing... the minimum wage in the U.S. is $8 something an hour, but the rent (at least here in Los Angeles) even in a bad area is at least $800 a month for a studio apartment, not even one bedroom. Compare that to the $1 an hour factory workers make in China, but they are only paying $50 per month in rent and sharing with several people, they are comparatively making and saving (and having a better standard of living) than most Americans!
But again, we're not even talking about China, this is about a Japanese company building a Japanese factory in Japan which will be supplying parts to Apple. If Apple were to try and make this factory here and make the part themselves, it would actually be exactly 5 times the price to make because of demands of American workers, yet the quality of the part would suffer because of the "work ethic" (or lack thereof) of the American worker. This has always been the truth for the last couple of decades (which is why GM cars are crap compared to, well, any other cars.)
Yes. I also support the exploitation of U.S. workers, over 90% of whom are not paid enough to live in Cupertino. I also support the exploitation of Apple employees in Cupertino, some percentage of whom are not paid enough to live in, say, Central London.
And these foreign workers must all be as stupid as us Americans, flocking to big cities and factory towns, instead of staying home and growing more local produce. That must be such a nice life they are leaving. Why don't we all go back to our ancestor's farm lands instead of being exploited by the modern world?
Great post. Japan's tech easily trumps America's. And efficiency and quality is key, just look at their public transportation infrastructure. If anyone has taken used the Tokyo subway on here, you know what I mean.
You could create just as many jobs by buying cheap foreign made stuff, and using the money you saved to start a business and hire some of these people who are hurting for jobs yourself.
Why complain that Apple should be taking more money from you for more expensive products and spending it, when you (and other people like you) could spend the price difference yourself on whatever you think is the right thing to do with your money?
Charity begins at home. Your home, not your neighbors, or Apple's.
Cool.
So let's support the rest of the world while millions here remain homeless and starving.
Um.. where do I begin?
First, the "homeless" in the united states are not about to be employed in a manufacturing plant. Many homeless are not homeless because they can't get a job, it's because they can't keep one. That is a whole different, tragically sad, discussion. But OT from the subject at hand. Second, there are not "millions" of homeless anyway. Hyperbole much?
3rd, not all the homeless are starving. There is a huge cost and donation difference between a roof and a loaf of bread. They may not get as much food as they like, but if they were all starving they wouldn't be around for very long. But please, make a routine donation to your local food bank, or voltuneer at a shelter. They can always use it. I'm pretty sure this will better benefit your American brother than offering to pay twice as much for your next iPhone
And another thing. From a purely logical care-for-every-human-life standpoint, I'd rather a job exist in a developing nation than in the USA. Because US citizens have the support structure to survive. Many developing nations have no such structure, and the lack of an income might seriously mean death for them and/or their family. In the end we are all human beings living on the same rock in space. I have no reason to wish death on someone else, just so make life easier for someone in the states.
Lastly, we're talking about JAPAN. These people are not third world, are not starving, are not exploited, and @#$%ing R*pe us in technology. It should come as no surprise. But by all means, continue discussing the sad state of the American vs 3rd world countries.
That is exactly what I was thinking when I read the announcement. Apple is happy to take the dollars from their US customers, so what not try to give a bit back and help invest in the US economy? I am personally a bit tired of supporting with my wallet all the Asian manufacturing jobs. I would love for at least some of the Apple products that I buy to state "Made in USA."
Americans are stupid. I would much rather have my Phone made in Japan, let alone pay more to have it made by a bunch or rednecks.
A US company hiring US workers to manufacture a product which is consumed primarily by US citizens is not taking away jobs from other people.
If a worker who is in a manufacturing plant making LCD screens finds himself without a Job because he/she can't afford to move to the US where Apple decided to move an LCD plant, then yes, Apple is taking away his/her job. If companies are "Taking away" American jobs by moving over seas, than they are also taking away jobs from people over seas by moving LCD manufacturing to the USA (where it has never existed before). This is pretty clear cut.
And wtf does the geographical location of the purchaser have to do with this?
LCD Display for iPhone4 and iPad is made by LG in South Korea. A4 processor and RAM is made by Samsung in South Korea. Battery is made by Samsung in South Korea. Flash memory is made by Toshiba in Japan. It is assembled in China. Apple could let TI make A4 processor and Micron make Flash memory. Apple could assemble iDevices in the U.S.
Man some of you people are pathetic. Really? Apple is "taking" money from their U.S. customers, what, by force?
No, we are happily giving our money to pay for the excellent products that they make and if you don't like their products NOBODY is forcing you to buy it! Apple is not a charity service either, you make it sound like they owe us something. They don't. And to your part about why "they don't give a bit back" to the U.S. economy!(?) you obviously didn't read this whole thread or even my post just a few posts above (or more importantly, just use some critical thinking skills here), but Apple IS giving back to the U.S. economy, more than most other tech companies; again, they build and employee people in more retail shops than any other computer company, they are building that huge new section of the Apple Campus and they have been working on that huge new Data Center in North Carolina (the largest center of it's kind in the U.S.) all of which creates construction jobs, jobs for all the various vendors involved and future jobs for all the new employees/ staff all right here in the U.S.A. So how are they not "giving back" to the U.S. economy? And oh, even their products "Assembled In China" Apple still pays U.S. taxes on, unlike a couple of other bigger U.S. companies (*cough* Exxon *cough*) Apple contributes to the U.S. economy more than any other company at the moment, in SO many ways (computers, phones, music, retail, construction, etc., etc.)
So get some perspective people!
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If a worker who is in a manufacturing plant making LCD screens finds himself without a Job because he/she can't afford to move to the US where Apple decided to move an LCD plant, then yes, Apple is taking away his/her job. If companies are "Taking away" American jobs by moving over seas, than they are also taking away jobs from people over seas by moving LCD manufacturing to the USA (where it has never existed before). This is pretty clear cut.
And wtf does the geographical location of the purchaser have to do with this?
I see, you are confused. If Apple built a plant I'm the US and staffed it with American workers, then they have not taken away foreign jobs, they have created domestic ones. The foreign worker is not a part of this equation.
And geographic consumption is the heart of the matter. What thread have you been reading?
You forget that Apple products are enjoyed worldwide. Products aren't simply manufactured there, shipped to cali then headed off to some exotic destination. Apple's subsidiaries and partners in China are part of a global distribution network. If the US was located in a geographically advantageous position well..maybe that'd change.
Besides what makes you think that Micron and TI either hadn't already been considered or simply didn't want to work with Apple. LG, Samsung, and Toshiba weren't chosen because they're asian. They were chosen because they were the best for the job.
I like that a Japanese company is in on this....everything made in Japan is top of the line, China not so much.
Hahaha...what a load of provincial thinking!
Let me restate your comments to make better sense: Apple is happy to take the money they make FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD (including Japan) and invest it where it does the best good for Apple and the world economy.
This Japanese component manufacturer will then make money selling to Apple and possibly other companies, some of that money which will flow into Apple USA's coffers which Apple will use to expand the NC facility, and expand their CA campus, both of which will hire more USA citizens.
Do you know that Fords are made with more Asian parts then are Toyotas? Yet, by your nonsensical logic, you'd buy a Ford. BTW, Toyotas are largely assembles in the USA.
The only products made completely in the USA by USA corporations fully staffed by U.S. citizens are some grains. Not even many vegetables can be said to use U.S. citizens to harvest them. Even the one-a-day multiple vitamins in your cupboard likely came from Asia and contain God-knows-what. It arrives here and all that happens in the USA is that the label is applied. You think that because it carries the name of an old U.S. company that it was made here. Wrong-o!!! You think because it's an old U.S. company name that you are buying America somehow, when, in fact, it's nothing more then branding...the parent company is likely European now.
Don't argue on something you can't change.
Apple like many other mass consumer products, retail price plays very crucial role.
If iphone is to made in USA, then with each DOLLAR it costs more, the less appealing iphone will be for most parts of the world, and i mean ASIA. not that they are poor but look, EVEN YOUR TV is made in CHINA NOW. Does it BROKE every now and then?
A sense of patriotism is good, but in the world of commerce, it has no place in it.
The foreign worker is a key factor in the global economy equation. What are you smoking?
You've been smoking the good stuff I see. Geographical consumption has little to do with it. If Nigeria become the #1 consumer of iPhones, you would not start arguing that apple move it's manufacturing there.
In fact, you and a few others seem severally confused on the matter. You seem to be pushing the USA only because you live there. The company that owns, builds, and is primarily funding this facility is doing so in their county of origin. They are looking out for their own nation. The USA and Apple have never had a major LCD manufacturing presence. If you think such a business would fair well in the global economy, by all means start one.