Apple CEO Tim Cook Visits Foxconn Plant

Apple CEO Tim Cook has reportedly visited a Foxconn plant in China that builds many of the company’s most popular products.

The Cupertino-based company has received criticism for its use of Foxconn factories, in which conditions have been described as tantamount to slave labour.

Cook’s tour

Cook is making his first trip to China since he replaced Steve Jobs as Chief Executive in August last year in an effort to increase its presence in the country and address a number of concerns, including conditions at Foxconn plants.

It was unclear if he would pay a visit to any Foxconn factory, but according to Chinese media, he went to the new Foxconn Zhengzhou Technology Park, which employees more than 120,000 people. However it is not known how long he spent at the facility or who he spoke to while he was there.

Apple had denied that the living and working conditions of those employed in the factories were like those of slaves, despite a number of employee suicides and an explosion which killed three workers at a plant which manufactured the iPad 2 last year.

The company eventually relented to pressure and invited the Fair Labour Association (FLA) to conduct voluntary audits at Foxconn’s facilities in Shenzen and Chengdu in February. Foxconn also promised to raise employee wages by as much as 25 percent as the inspections continued.

While in China, Cook will also want to clear up a trademark dispute with Proview Technology over the use of the term ‘iPad’ in the country. The issue has threatened to derail the launch of the latest version of the tablet, which was unveiled earlier this month.

And finally, Cook’s visit to China coincides with one by Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg. The visits are presumably coincidence, although Zuckerberg was seen visiting an Apple Store, and the two men are rumoured to have shared a flight in an executive jet.

Are you an Apple expert? Find out with our iPhone Quiz!

Steve McCaskill

Steve McCaskill is editor of TechWeekEurope and ChannelBiz. He joined as a reporter in 2011 and covers all areas of IT, with a particular interest in telecommunications, mobile and networking, along with sports technology.

Recent Posts

OpenAI In Talks With California Over For-Profit Shift

OpenAI reportedly begins early talks with California attorney general over complex transition from nonprofit to…

12 hours ago

EU To Assess Apple’s iPad Compliance Plans

European Commission says it will review Apple's iPad compliance with DMA rules as it seeks…

13 hours ago

James Dyson Says ‘Spiteful’ Budget Will Kill Start-Ups

James Dyson delivers most high-profile criticism so far of Labour's first Budget that raises £40bn…

13 hours ago

Nvidia, Meta Ask Supreme Court To Axe Investor Lawsuits

Nvidia, Meta bring cases before US Supreme Court this month seeking tighter limits on investors'…

14 hours ago

Nvidia To Replace Intel On Dow Jones Industrial Average

Nvidia to replace Intel this week on Dow Jones Industrial Average after years of turmoil…

14 hours ago

Toyota-Backed Joby Flies ‘Air Taxi’ In Japan

Joby Aviation and Toyota Motor complete demonstration flight in Shizuoka as companies prepare to bring…

15 hours ago