Apple assembler Foxconn is planning to build five additional factories in Brazil to help meet demand for iPads and other tablets. The products are expected to combine for an expected annual run rate of nearly 400 million units within 5 years.
Katie Marsal reporting for AppleInsider:
The news was released publicly by São Paulo’s Secretary of Planning and Development of the State, Julio Semeghini. He said the five factories, which are in addition to the one already believed to be turning out iPads and iPhones, will each staff roughly 1000 workers.
In addition to helping supplying Apple with iPads, the factories will be tooled for notebook and general electronics production.
Officials from Foxconn and the Brazilian government will reportedly meet following the Chinese New Year to decide on where the factories will be built, but São Paulo is said to be pushing heavily for the investment.
The Brazilian government approved tax reductions, or exemptions, last week that cleared the way for the company to begin producing iPads in the country.
In related news, thousands of people lined the streets outside a labor agency in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou last night, in hopes of landing a job at one of Foxconn’s local factories.
The company is reportedly looking to double the size of its workforce at their facility there ahead of the next iPhone launch. An additional 100,000 employees are expected to be recruited.
