Foxconn and Pegatron are currently assembling iPad Mini tablets for the Apple company, but they could soon be joined by the Asian company Wistron. According to the Asian publication DigiTimes, Apple would have visited and certified the Taiwanese factories of Wistron as capable of assembling iPad Mini tablets, but neither of the two companies is commenting on the rumor. Last year, Apple had trouble producing enough iPad Mini tablets to meet market demand, and Wistron could be a solution to those past problems.
Apple has visited factories of Taiwan-based ODM Wistron and has qualified Wistron for OEM production of iPad mini, according to Taiwan-based supply chain makers. However, Wistron declined to comment. Apple has continued to adjust its supply chain through selecting new component makers and OEMs since Tim Cook assumed the role of CEO, the sources indicated. In order to enter Apple's supply chain, Wistron has set up dedicated production lines to meet Apple's strict requirements, the sources said. Since Wistron manufactures notebooks, tablets and smartphones, its qualification for iPad mini production will give it a chance of obtaining orders for MacBook, iPad and iPhone in the future, the sources analyzed.
Those from Wistron can supply the Apple company with dedicated lines for assembling iPad tablets and considering that they already produce notebooks, it would not be excluded that in the future the collaboration will be extended to the production of MacBooks. Apart from Wistron, the Apple company would have chosen two new battery suppliers for its iPhones, but for now it is only known that these companies would be based in Taiwan. It is not known if we are talking about some new technology used in these batteries, or if it is just an attempt by those from Apple to diversify their suppliers, but we should not feel any negative impact following this change.
In addition to Wistron, Apple has selected two Taiwan-based notebook battery pack makers to supply battery packs for use in a new-generation iPhone, the sources indicated.
