“Analyst Brian White with Ticonderoga Securities said in a note to investors on Thursday that Apple began ‘aggressively attacking’ the component situation in Japan following the earthquake and tsunami that struck the country,” Sam Oliver reports for AppleInsider. “The iPhone maker reportedly sent executives to suppliers immediately to ensure adequate supply of components, and also began offering upfront cash payments.”
“Separately, White’s contacts in Taiwan also revealed that Apple is allegedly securing component capacity using what is known as a ‘three cover guarantee,’ referring to capacity, stock and price,” Oliver reports. “Apple’s move is seen as one that could potentially block out competitors and prevent them from building ample supply of devices.”
Oliver reports, “The information comes as a separate report out of the Far East suggested that a one-month delay for Research in Motion’s PlayBook tablet was as a result of Apple securing most of the available touch panel production capacity. The delay has forced the PlayBook to go on sale after Apple’s in-demand iPad 2.”
MacDailyNews Take: Causing PlayBook resellers to spread out the Samsung Galaxy Tabs in order to protect their shelves from dust for another month.
Read more in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Fred Mertz” and “Lynn W.” for the heads up.]
not that they need supply anyway when they have no demand for their garbage.
All RIM needs is one or two guys with a couple of screwdrivers and a bottle of glue sitting in the break room of the factory to meet demand. What’s the big deal? I’m sure there’s plenty of leftovers from the big sheets being cut for Apple to help RIM out.
Apple knows that competitors will sell X amount ….. Apple is simply wanting their competitors Z amount instead of X amount …..
Z as in Zip, zilch, zero …..
Apple wants to establish this new (old but not successful) category of “PCs” and be the 90% leader and keen biz moves like this is what it takes to be #1 ….
Exactly Fredo.
Apple is doing them a favor by preventing them from building up an embarrassing stockpile that won’t move, and giving them a built-in excuse for failure.
Having Billions in the bank seems like a great idea now. I wonder if those investors really want a dividend? Having CASH, not credit to secure components will matter at the end of the day.
Smart move Apple.
Apple is buying 9.7″ panels. I thought RIM was sourcing 7″ panels, or do they just take a 10″ panel and cut it into two to make RIM Playbooks?
The panels are cut from large production sheets. They can be cut in any size.
It’s hard to cut production sheets when Apple prepaid for a large portion of the production.
This is supposedly one of Tim Cook’s strengths. Don’t let this guy get away, Apple.
I completely agree.
Those analysts and pundits, screaming for a AAPL dividend, will now think twice as the cash reserves can move mountains overnight.
As COO, Cook has streamlined operations to such a state that productivity and efficiency is at least 1.5 better than it’s contemporaries.
Good for Apple. Now there may be fewer stories about falling profits due to iPadwannabes not selling as well as expected.
“Oliver reports. “Apple’s move is seen as one that could potentially block out competitors and prevent them from building ample supply of devices.”
They will have more than adequate supply, because Apple will Leave enough supply to build at least 500/month easily.