This is the kind of relationship building that deserves watching.
AsiaNikkei -- More at the source.
TAIPEI -- Key iPhone assembler Hon Hai Precision Industry, also known as Foxconn Technology Group, is trying to expand its foothold in the semiconductor industry by partnering with SoftBank Group-owned ARM to create a chip design center in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, people familiar with the matter told the Nikkei Asian Review.
The move highlights the ongoing efforts by the world's largest contract electronics maker to build more key components and tap into new technologies for future growth faced with weakening global demand for smartphones. While Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou has set an annual sales growth target for his manufacturing empire of 10%, Hon Hai's revenue for the first nine months of 2016 dropped more than 3% year-over-year.
The move highlights the ongoing efforts by the world's largest contract electronics maker to build more key components and tap into new technologies for future growth faced with weakening global demand for smartphones. While Foxconn Chairman Terry Gou has set an annual sales growth target for his manufacturing empire of 10%, Hon Hai's revenue for the first nine months of 2016 dropped more than 3% year-over-year.
Other than Apple, Foxconn also assembles handsets for major Chinese brands including Oppo, Huawei and Xiaomi, with Japan's Sharp also planning to increase its smartphone offerings.
An industry executive said that Foxconn has been trying to develop an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a customized chip, even though the company's presence in the semiconductor field has been very limited so far.
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The person further said that Foxconn has recently made a strong investment commitment to the Shenzhen authorities with the signing of the memorandum of understanding.
Shenzhen is already home to Foxconn's China headquarters and now it seems that the coastal city may play an even more vital role in the Taiwanese manufacturing titan's future, with Apple also expanding operations in the area.
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Earlier this month when Chief Executive Tim Cook visited Shenzhen, Apple, which accounts for more than 50% of Foxconn's annual revenue, announced that it will set up a research and development center in the coastal city, coinciding with Foxconn's move to deepen ties with local authorities.
During Cook's trip, Gou accompanied him to meet Chairman Xu Shaoshi of China's National Development and Reform Commission and other senior Shenzhen officials.
Meanwhile, the new Foxconn-ARM chip design center is being created following close collaboration between Gou and SoftBank Chairman and Chief Executive Masayoshi Son.
Both share the belief that the IoT will be a major growth driver in the future and it should become a core business of their respective companies. This conviction led Son to acquire ARM for 23 billion pounds ($31 billion) earlier this year.
Earlier this month when Chief Executive Tim Cook visited Shenzhen, Apple, which accounts for more than 50% of Foxconn's annual revenue, announced that it will set up a research and development center in the coastal city, coinciding with Foxconn's move to deepen ties with local authorities.
During Cook's trip, Gou accompanied him to meet Chairman Xu Shaoshi of China's National Development and Reform Commission and other senior Shenzhen officials.
Meanwhile, the new Foxconn-ARM chip design center is being created following close collaboration between Gou and SoftBank Chairman and Chief Executive Masayoshi Son.
Both share the belief that the IoT will be a major growth driver in the future and it should become a core business of their respective companies. This conviction led Son to acquire ARM for 23 billion pounds ($31 billion) earlier this year.
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