iMac 2012 News: Apple Invests Over $100 Million to Produce Macs in US
The iMac 2012 refresh brought slimmer and faster versions of the computer to customer's homes this year.
Some of these Apple customers even discovered that their new iMac was actually manufactured in the U.S. This was surprising, since Apple's computers are normally produced outside of the country.
And these computers being made in the U.S. is not just a coincidence. Apple plans on bringing even more Mac production to the U.S. in 2013 and will invest over $100 million to do it.
Tim Cook recently sat down with Bloomberg Business Week and revealed the company's plans.
"Next year we are going to bring some production to the U.S. on the Mac. We've been working on this for a long time, and we were getting closer to it," said Cook. "It will happen in 2013. We're really proud of it."
He also explained how Apple aims to make this something more significant than just the simple assembly of the computer.
"We could have quickly maybe done just assembly, but it's broader because we wanted to do something more substantial," continued Cook. "So we'll literally invest over $100 million. This doesn't mean that Apple will do it ourselves, but we'll be working with people, and we'll be investing our money."
Apple is currently shipping out of Fremont, Calif. in what appears to be the early testing phase for U.S. manufacturing of the Mac.
Various parts for Apple products like the iPhone and the iPad are already manufactured in the U.S.
The glass used for the displays is made in Kentucky and shipped out for assembly. The engine and the processor for the iPhone and iPad is also made in the U.S. and exported.
Cook also highlighted some of the issues holding back Apple from bringing production back to the U.S. He stated that the educational system is not producing the expertise needed for major manufacturing in consumer electronics.
