Golly, is that time of year already?
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China orders Apple supplier plant closure over environmental concerns
CHINESE AUTHORITIES have ordered an Apple supplier to close part of its plant in Suzhou after residents living nearby raised significant environmental concerns.
The Chinese government, widely criticised for its poor policies on environmental issues, has taken a tough stance with the Taiwanese company Catcher Technology, which makes metal casings for notebook computers including Apple's Macbook Air and Macbook Pro. The company also makes chassis for Acer, Dell, Lenovo and Sony.
The shutdown follows complaints from local residents, who said that they could smell foul odours emanating from the plant.
Catcher Technology is now attempting to address concerns by refurbishing the affected part of the plant, which it hopes to complete by the end of the month. However, it will then need regulator approval before it can reopen, which could delay things considerably.
The ordered closure might mark a change in government tactics in efforts to improve China's reputation at home and abroad. While this is good news for the environment, it could be terrible news for the technology industry, which is largely dependent on a number of Chinese companies and manufacturing plants to meet demands.
"Even assuming its competition can somehow make up for the supply shortfall with additional output while Catcher's production is disrupted, we believe the news is generally bad for the overall [PC] sector," said Jenny Lai, head of Taiwan research at HSBC, according to the Financial Times.
This is the latest supply setback to affect Apple. Earlier this year it was hit by supply issues after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan put some suppliers temporarily out of business.
This is also not the first environmental concern to hit Apple. In August a report was released by Chinese environmental groups that accused a number of Apple suppliers of polluting the environment. Apple's 2010 audit also found that 80 facilities used by its suppliers were not up to scratch. Some of these might now be forced to address long-standing concerns, but if so, this will likely come at a temporary cost of lower supply to the world's top computer makers. µ
Tags: Apple
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"manufacturing is dull, dirty, and dangerous"
This is a myth that perpetuates in western society, because the public see manufacturing as the automotive sector (a view that the mainstream media doesn't help avoid). Unfortunately, that sector is linked with economic turmoil both past and present.
Next time you write a comment like that, think about what a 16yr old might read into it - "manufacturing is not a career choice for me".
I am quite happy if they get tough on pollution and nasty chemicals, even if it costs me and the manufacturers money. I am prepared to pay more for my gadgets, or go without buying if I don't have the money.
Apropos, just bought a Lenovo Stinkpad a few months ago, and it still stinks. Ok, it was a model from 2010, but AFAIK they still use PVC, BFRs et al. Next time I'll opt for a company with a more enlightened chemicals policy.
Not to bash Lenovo only (and I really like my Lenovo apart from the smell), I'm sure there are much worse companies out there. Yes, I'm aware that others could use chemicals even worse that are odourless.
Sorry if I'm a little bit off topic.
Unless Apple is the largest customer of this plant, then only mentioning them in the title , and only them for the majority of the article is a pathetic dig,aimed at getting clicks and stroking the pathetic impotent rages of little people like you!
this site used to be a lot better than that!
In a way that isn't too much of a stretch. Since they no doubt stated how much they are willing to pay for each unit. There by causing the low bidder to cut a many corners as they can in order to meet the price and make an acceptable profit.
I've been to Suzhou, and I certainly wasn't aware that anything ever closes there for "environmental concerns".
This is not about Apple. If I were to wager a guess, it's that the plant owner forgot to deposit appropriately padded red envelopes in the necessary palms to keep anything at all running in China.
I've been to Suzhou, and I certainly wasn't aware that anything ever closes there for "environmental concerns".
This is not about Apple. If I were to wager a guess, it's that the plant owner forgot to deposit appropriately padded red envelopes in the necessary palms to keep anything at all running in China.
I've been to Suzhou, and I certainly wasn't aware that anything ever closes there for "environmental concerns".
This is not about Apple. If I were to wager a guess, it's that the plant owner forgot to deposit appropriately padded red envelopes in the necessary palms to keep anything at all running in China.
YES, Apple is to blame for whatever portion of manufacturing is for their gadgets. NO, Apple doesn't get to escape without the least blame.
When your only connection with Apple gadgets is to caress and adore them, it's easy to overlook that manufacturing is dull, dirty, and dangerous. I bet just a day of actually working in one of those plants -- like a slave for 12 hours or more at hectic pace -- would set you straight on the ugly reality behind Apple's pretty toys.
Even in an article where you say that they supply a number of top tier brands, its some how apples fault?? are you for serious??