“Today the only American-made Mac is the kind you buy under Golden Arches and eat. America’s other well-known Mac, Apple’s Mac computer, is manufactured in China (like all other Apple products),” Gary P. Pisano writes for The Harvard Business Review. “That’s about to change. Apple announced last week that it will invest $100 million to make Macs (through third parties) in the U.S. This move makes strategic sense for Apple and is potentially important for the U.S. economy longer term.”

“It would be easy to dismiss Apple’s move as a pure publicity or political play. After all, Apple is often criticized for being the ultimate “designed in America, made in China” company — even though many other companies follow the same strategy,” Pisano writes. “But there are other good reasons for Apple to source some products from the U.S.”

• Diversify Its Sourcing Footprint
• Move Manufacturing Closer to R&D

Pisano writes, “Apple’s move is a spark that could help rebuild the electronics industrial commons.”

Read more in the full article here.

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