Tag Archives: explosion

Foxconn sees financial drop after plant explosion

Foxconn saw a large drop in revenue after the explosion at its Chendgu plant last month, according to Digitimes. Foxconn's May revenues dropped 2.14% month-over-month to US$6.95 billion. The revenue fall off was a direct result of the explosion, according to the company. The explosion that killed three workers on May 20 is thought to have been set off when aluminum dust used in a polishing process was accidentally ignited.

Just hours after the explosion, Apple issued a statement saying they were working closely with Foxconn to find out what caused the event. The plant closed for almost two weeks after the explosion before reopening on June 2. There has been no word yet on the official results of Apple's or Foxconn's investigations, but the Chinese government has urged Foxconn to ensure worker safety in light of the tragedy.

Foxconn sees financial drop after plant explosion originally appeared on TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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China urges Foxconn to ensure worker safety

Foxconn

It's been another rough week for Foxconn, Apple's biggest manufacturing partner. After an explosion at a Foxconn factory killed three workers last Friday, the Chinese government urged the manufacturer and other Taiwanese companies to better ensure the safety of their employees.

"We hope Foxconn and other Taiwanese firms can learn lessons from this, carry out safety responsibilities, step up internal oversight, stamp out potential safety risks in a timely manner, and ensure safe production," Fan Liqing, a spokeswoman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office, said on Wednesday.

Friday's deadly explosion rocked a Foxconn polishing workshop in Chengdu, a city in southwest China, where workers put the finishing touches on electronic products for many of the world's largest brands, including Apple. Immediately after the blast, the local government began rescue efforts and an investigation into its cause. So far, investigators believe the explosion was the result of a "production safety accident," according to Fan, who didn't go into further details about the cause of the incident. Previous reports suggest that combustible dust in the polishing workshop ignited to fuel the blast.

In response to the incident, Foxconn has temporarily suspended operations at all of its workshops that polish electronics in China and, according to Fan, the manufacturer pledged to "make an all out effort" to treat the injured workers, reassure the families of their employees, and remove hidden safety risks "in accordance with relevant requirements."

Continue reading China urges Foxconn to ensure worker safety

China urges Foxconn to ensure worker safety originally appeared on TUAW on Wed, 25 May 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Analysts Predict Half-Million iPad Shortage Due To Foxconn Plant Explosion


As we continue to follow up on the impact of the deadly explosion at Foxconn’s manufacturing facility in Chengdu, China on May 20th, we are learning more about production suspension and its affect on iPad 2 production. According to a new analysis from IHS iSuppli, the aftermath of the explosion could result in the production loss of 500,000 iPad 2 units being shipped in the second quarter. Based on IHS iSuppli research, the Chengdu plant manufactures about a half-million units per month and, depending on the length of the investigation and suspension of the plant, things may not get back under way until June, or even later.

As we reported yesterday, Foxconn’s Chengdu plant was only responsible for manufacturing of 25-30% of the tablets during the month of April. Because the production at the Chengdu plant had not yet reached its full potential, the company’s Shenzhen plant is expected to pick up the slack. According to iSuppli.com, Foxconn chairman, Terry Gou was reported as saying the explosion would not affect production in the third quarter. HIS iSuppli believes “There likely will be some impact on production in the second quarter.”

As mentioned, Foxconn’s Shenzhen plant is expected to ramp up production at its already over-worked facility in order to compensate for lost production in Chengdu. The Shenzhen plant has the capacity to manufacture 7.5 million units in the second quarter, which falls short of the company’s total expected output of 7.8-8.1 million, or between 300,000 and 600,000 units, according to iSuppli.com.

Apple, Inc. has been under fire lately because of its relationship with Foxconn after reports have come out that the Shenzhen plant has recorded an unusually high number of suicide rates, possibly due to poor working conditions. Now, that same plant will be responsible for picking up the extra work lost at the Chengdu plant. One has to wonder how this news has affected workers at the plant.

Although Foxconn, in collaboration with Apple, Inc. have worked to improve conditions at the company’s factories, recent events and how Foxconn is handling them, call into question the company’s regulations on workplace safety and how Apple, Inc. will help facilitate better conditions.

 

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Apple issues statement on Foxconn explosion

Apple has issued a statement to All Things Digital regarding the tragic explosion that occurred at a Foxconn plant in Chengdu, China earlier today. The explosion killed 2 workers and injured at least 16 others. In the statement Apple said:

"We are deeply saddened by the tragedy at Foxconn's plant in Chengdu, and our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We are working closely with Foxconn to understand what caused this terrible event."

Foxconn has long been rumored to have dubious conditions for workers, and employees have voiced concerns over workplace safety and standards in the past. Apple even audited the company over its practices back in February of this year. Just three days ago, Foxconn employees protested outside a Foxconn shareholder meeting over wages and its treatment of employees.

For its part, thus far Foxconn has not confirmed what caused the explosion, though the company has said that the situation has been brought under control. Production at the affected facility will be halted until an investigation into the cause of the explosion is completed.

Apple issues statement on Foxconn explosion originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 20 May 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Explosion at iPad Manufacturing Plant


Earlier today, an explosion destroyed parts of an iPad manufacturing plant in Chengdu, China. The plant, owned by Foxconn, is a polishing plant designed to clean iPads once assembled, before being packaged to be shipped across the globe.

Alas, two employees were killed, and several others were injured. While the root cause of the explosion is unknown at this stage, production at the plant has been halted for an indefinite time period.

According to the Wall Street Journal, Foxconn said the situation had been brought under control by the fire fighters, and that the company was cooperating with the police to better understand what happened. Apple also communicated on the matter, and expressed its condolences over the death of the Foxconn employees.

We are deeply saddened by the tragedy at Foxconn’s plant in Chengdu and our hearts go out to the victims and their families

Video shot shortly after the explosion (credit: engadget)

While the impact of the explosion on the iPad 2 production is unclear at this stage, it will most likely lead to more delays in the iPad 2 supply chain – to this date, Apple and Foxconn have been unable to build enough iPad 2s to meet the overwhelming demand for the device.

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Foxconn Chengdu plant fire, possible explosion

foxconnfire.jpg

Via MacRumors and M.I.C Gadget, there are reports coming in of a substantial fire and possible explosion at a Foxconn plant that is said to be dedicated primarily to iPad 2 production.

M.I.C Gadget has several video clips of the scene, including smoke billowing from a building, people evacuating and reports of multiple fire engines responding to the emergency. There are reports of some injuries and speculation that the fire/explosion was caused by airborne dust.

Our thoughts are with the victims of this emergency, and we hope that all the remaining employees are able to evacuate the plant safely.

Foxconn Chengdu plant fire, possible explosion originally appeared on TUAW on Fri, 20 May 2011 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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