Apple has added two Chinese manufacturers to its MacBook chassis supplier list as part of an effort to drive down the prices quoted by their usual Taiwanese suppliers.
China-based Shenzhen Everwin Precision Technology and AAC Technologies have reportedly become suppliers of metal-alloy chassis for use in MacBook notebooks, according to industry sources.
The report’s sources indicate two companies obtained Apple certification in 2017 and began small-volume shipments in 2018.
In the past, Taiwan-based Catcher Technology, Foxconn Technology and Casetek Holdings have been the main suppliers of MacBook chassis for Apple, and the Cupertino firm reportedly plans to continue to rely on them. However, that doesn’t mean they won’t be able to take advantage of the Chinese companies’ lower production costs.
However, Apple will capitalize on China-based makers’ lower costs to push down prices quoted by Taiwan-based makers, the sources indicated, adding that for Taiwan makers, competition from China rivals will bring more impact on gross margins than on order volumes, the sources explained.
When contacted by DigiTimes, Catcher Technology said its outlook for 2018 remained unchanged.
Apple is widely expected to release a new low-cost MacBook Air later this year that is said to feature a Retina display, with slimmer bezels around the display.