Made in the USA: Apple gives small manufacturers tips
That should please the Trump government: The "Apple Manufacturing Academy" will soon open in Detroit, where Apple wants to share its manufacturing expertise.
Apple Manufacturing Academy: Planned for Detroit, once America's great automobile city.
(Image: Apple)
Still no iPhone “made in the USA”: Apple still does not want to follow the wishes of the US government under Donald J. Trump and prefers to build its smartphones in China or India despite the tariff surcharge. Nevertheless, the company is now increasingly committed to building up manufacturing capacities in its home country. Apple has now announced the launch of a so-called Manufacturing Academy in the former car metropolis of Detroit, which will specifically focus on this. The opening is planned for August 19 with a two-day event, according to an official announcement this week.
Cooperation with Michigan State University
The educational facility is part of Apple's 500 billion US dollar investment plan over the next four years, which has been criticized by analysts and in some cases described as “completely unrealistic”. The Manufacturing Academy builds on existing investments “in American innovation and advanced manufacturing,” the company explains further.
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The academy is being set up in collaboration with Michigan State University (MSU). The aim is to invite small and medium-sized companies from all over the USA to Detroit, where Apple experts will then hold workshops. “The courses are designed to help American companies make the transition to more advanced manufacturing through the use of artificial intelligence and smart manufacturing techniques.”
Skills shifted to China & Co.
This is precisely the problem currently: it is still cheaper to have production in China and other Asian countries because it is much easier to set up the supply chain there. The vertical integration of manufacturers ensures that Apple does not have to worry about the supply of components – plus the fact that there are enough workers available to assemble the devices. Rebuilding production in the USA therefore only has a chance if “intelligent” production takes place there – but according to experts, this could take many years.
Another issue is that there are fewer and fewer experts in the USA to build up factory capacity – from toolmakers to people who know how to make injection molds. The latter are now usually ordered directly from China. Apple emphasizes that in addition to courses in Detroit, it will also offer consulting services for American companies to increase productivity, efficiency, and quality. A "virtual programme" from the Academy is also planned for later this year, which will focus on “key skills” such as project management or process optimization in manufacturing. Registration is possible on the MSU's own website.
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