Guangdong, July 26, 2024, The Europe Today: Jeff Williams, Apple’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), has lauded the upgrade of China’s manufacturing industry, highlighting the transition from manual production lines to advanced lights-out factories as “exciting.”
During a visit to the factory of Apple supplier Lingyi iTECH in south China’s Guangdong Province on Thursday, Williams expressed his admiration for the level of automation and smart manufacturing he encountered.
“Seeing the evolution through the years as we continue to integrate more technology into our products is truly amazing,” Williams stated. “This advancement is enabled by the progress in manufacturing I witness with our partners, including those here in China.”
Williams noted that out of Apple’s top 187 suppliers, 157 have manufacturing operations in China. He reflected on Apple’s initial entry into the Chinese market, which was confined to basic manufacturing. Today, Apple’s presence in China encompasses retail, research and development, and an extensive supply chain network.
Initially emerging as a “world factory,” Guangdong has since evolved, striving to establish itself as a global scientific and technological powerhouse. The province is now home to over 75,000 high-tech enterprises, including world-class companies such as EV manufacturer BYD, drone pioneer DJI, and smart device provider Honor.
Williams’ visit underscores the critical role China plays in Apple’s global operations and the company’s commitment to leveraging the country’s advancements in technology and manufacturing.
