Report: Foxconn Hiring More Workers to Begin Production on Next iPhone

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Multiple media outlets are reporting that Foxconn has dramatically increased its hiring in recent weeks. Foxconn is a key Apple supplier, and many believe the hiring indicates that production has begun on a new iPhone.

The Wall Street Journal’s Lorraine Luk reported, “Foxconn Technology Group has resumed hiring assembly-line workers in China after a postholiday freeze, in the latest sign that customer Apple Inc. is gearing up for production of a new iPhone.”

Bloomberg’s Tim Cuplan confirmed, “Foxconn Technology Group, the world’s largest custom manufacturer of electronics, resumed hiring at a Chinese factory as it prepares to make a new Apple Inc. (AAPL) iPhone, said a person familiar with the plans. Workers have been recruited at Foxconn’s plant in Zhengzhou, eastern China, for the past month, ending a hiring freeze imposed in February, said the person, who asked not to be named because the plans haven’t been made public. The extra workers will assemble the new device as well as existing models and have been added at Apple’s request to boost capacity, the person said.”

Computerworld’s Jonny Evans noted, “According to the report, Foxconn has been recruiting around 10,000 assembly line workers each week since the last week of March. These workers will be based in Zhengzhou, its iPhone production plant. Company executives declined further comment on the report, bar noting the company’s plans to continue expanding its workforce in order to meet ‘seasonal demand from clients,’ the report explains.”

CNET’s Lance Whitney commented, “In the past, Apple traditionally launched each new iPhone in the summer. The company switched gears with the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5, unveiling those models in the early fall. Several analysts and Apple watchers believe the company will revert back to its prior timeframe this year. Analysts Gene Munster and Ming-Chi Kuo expect Apple to announce the iPhone 5S in late June and offer it for sale in July.”