Apple to shift iPad capacity to Vietnam amid quarantine restrictions
For the first time ever, Apple will move part of its iPad production from China to Vietnam. The reason was quarantine restrictions in China as severe lockdowns in Shanghai and nearby led to monthly disruptions in supply chains, by Nikkei Asia reports.
Chinese BYD, one of the leading iPad manufacturers, helped build production lines in Vietnam. Work on a small batch of tablets will begin here soon. The US company has long planned to relocate part of its iPad production to China, but an unexpected surge in COVID-19 in Vietnam has postponed plans for several months.
iPad will become the second large line of Apple products to be produced in Vietnam. Earlier, the company decided to move here the production of a series of AirPods headphones. These steps not only help Apple diversify supply chains but also show the growing importance of Vietnam for the manufacturer.
To protect against possible disruptions in the future, Apple has also asked its suppliers for additional batches of components – printed circuit boards, mechanical, and electronic parts. This is especially true for those located in and around Shanghai. In addition, the company is asking for a quick supply of some power-related chips for the new iPhone.