“Japan Display Inc is considering building a plant to supply smartphone screens for Apple Inc and is negotiating with the U.S. company for investment in the project, a person familiar with the situation said on Friday,” Reiji Murai reports for Reuters.
“The Japanese screen maker aims to be the primary supplier of high-tech screens for Apple’s wildly popular iPhones, the person told Reuters,” Murai reports. “Global iPhone sales, notably in China, have surged to make Apple the most profitable company in history.”
“Japan Display wants Apple to shoulder much of the expected 200 billion yen ($1.7 billion) investment in the plant, which aims to be in operation next year, the source said on condition of anonymity as the talks remain confidential,” Murai reports. “The most likely site for the plant is in Ishikawa, central Japan, the source said. It would have a capacity greater than an existing facility in Mobara, southeast of Tokyo, which makes 50,000 of the 1.5 by 1.85 metre sheets a month for iPhone 6 screens and other uses, he said.”
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As long the deal is good for Apple, then great. But Apple should get some really great guarantees and cutting edge technology for an investment of $1.7B.
As far as location goes, perhaps one of the requirements should be a CONUS location? Apple needs to diversify in terms of geography as well as supplier to reduce the impact of regional tendencies for natural disasters.
Greta radioactive displays coming to an iPhone near you.
Japan is toast: http: // enenews. com