ChinaTalk Apple in China
56 snips
Jun 24, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Patrick McGee, author and expert on Apple’s operations, shares intriguing insights into Apple's long-standing relationship with China. Alongside Kyle Chan, a Princeton postdoc, they explore how Apple's move to China in the 90s reshaped its manufacturing landscape. They discuss the ‘Divorce Avoidance Program’ and the immense pressures faced by workers at Foxconn. The conversation also highlights the political dynamics of Apple's production and its impact on both China’s industrial growth and Apple's global strategy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Apple's Manufacturing Ethos Shift
- Apple's early manufacturing ethos was to build everything themselves, reflecting Steve Jobs' obsession with design control.
- Outsourcing was reluctantly adopted late, marking a shift from self-made PCs to production partnerships.
China Wins Manufacturing Scale
- Apple initially pursued a tri-continental manufacturing strategy before consolidating in China.
- China's tailored policies and scale made it the clear winner for Apple's massive production needs.
Apple's CNC Machine Monopoly
- Apple bought exclusive access to thousands of CNC machines to build notebooks at scale.
- This aggressive acquisition reflected Apple's "whatever it takes" manufacturing mentality.
