Photo: Paul Hudson, flickr (CC)

Apple’ suppliers in China have continued to grow since 2011, reaching 41 and surpassing other major manufacturing areas for Apple like Japan and even the US – with 37 and 38 suppliers respectively. 

Photo: Paul Hudson, flickr (CC)

Analysis of Apple’s top 200 suppliers by Nikkei Asian Review shows that more than 20% of Apple’s suppliers are based in mainland China and Hong-Kong. This marks the first time that Chinese suppliers number more than those in Apple’s country of origin (US), despite current trade tensions between Washington and Beijing. Suggesting the company’s growing dependency on China as a manufacturing base over other countries. 

However, analysis also shows the company’s efforts to diversity to new areas of production such as India and Vietnam, as well as the continuing importance of the US as a centre of production and investment.

Read the full article here.