ADVERTISEMENT

Foxconn

Taiwanese electronics contract manufacturer

Foxconn, also known as Hon Hai Technology Group, is a major Taiwanese multinational company founded in 1974. It is the world's largest electronics contract manufacturer, with significant revenue from China. The company produces a wide range of electronic products for various global brands and is a key player in the industry. Terry Gou, the founder, was succeeded by Young Liu as the chairman in 2019, marking a shift towards semiconductor and advanced technology focus.

Related

Fox Corporation TSMC Xiaomi Alibaba Xi Jinping Hong Kong Chinese Civil War Apple Steve Jobs Tim Cook

Timeline

Establishment of Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.

Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd., also known as Foxconn, was established in 1974 in Tucheng, New Taipei City, Taiwan. It has since become the world's largest contract manufacturer of electronics.

Opening of Foxconn's First Manufacturing Plant in Mainland China

Foxconn's first manufacturing plant in Mainland China opened in Longhua Town, Shenzhen, in 1988.

Establishment of Foxconn CZ

Foxconn CZ was established on 18th May 2000 in the Czech Republic. The production began in Pardubice in the premises of the former company of Tesla, with the first employees starting on 1st June.

Intel Selects Foxconn for Manufacturing Intel-branded Motherboards

One of the important milestones for Foxconn occurred in 2001 when Intel selected the company to manufacture its Intel-branded motherboards instead of Asus.

Establishment of GSSD

The service division known as GSSD or FGSD was established to focus on repairs and modernizing entire products and individual components for the European market.

Establishment of CNSBG

The new division CNSBG, currently known as G Group, was established and the production of routers, switches, telepresence systems, and rack servers was launched.

Expansion with New US$500 Million Plant in Huizhou, Southern China

By November 2007, Foxconn further expanded with an announced plan to build a new US$500 million plant in Huizhou, Southern China.

Start of Production in New Foxconn Plant

The production in the newly constructed plant in Kutná Hora started in this year.

Suicide of Sun Danyong

Sun Danyong, a 25-year-old man, committed suicide in July 2009 after reporting the loss of an iPhone 4 prototype in his possession. His death attracted media attention and raised concerns about working conditions at Foxconn.

Worker abuse allegations at Foxconn

In May 2010, Shanghaiist reported that security guards at Foxconn had been caught beating factory workers, adding to the spate of negative press involving worker suicides. This further highlighted the poor working conditions at the company.

Steve Jobs defends Apple's relationship with Foxconn

In June 2010, Steve Jobs defended Apple's relationship with Foxconn, citing that its Chinese partner is 'pretty nice' and is 'not a sweatshop'. This defense came in reaction to the negative press and worker suicides involving Foxconn.

Foxconn's involvement in controversies relating to employee grievances

Foxconn has been involved in several controversies relating to employee grievances or treatment, especially in China where it employed more people than any other private company as of 2011.

iFactory: Inside Apple

Bill Weir reported on the iFactory, providing an inside look at Apple's operations.

Suspension of Foxconn's India operations

Foxconn announced the suspension of all operations at its manufacturing facility in Chennai due to dwindling orders. This led to negotiations with employees and a severance deal.

Foxconn's Entry into India

Foxconn enters India, mainly to manufacture for Nokia, an important client at that time.

Sharp Accepts Takeover Bid from Foxconn

On 25 February 2016, Sharp accepted a ¥700 billion (US$6.24 billion) takeover bid from Foxconn to acquire over 66 percent of Sharp's voting stock.

Finalization of Sharp Takeover Deal

A month later, on 30 March 2016, the deal was announced as finalized in a joint press statement, but at a lower price.

FIH Mobile purchases Microsoft Mobile's feature phone business

On May 18, 2016, FIH Mobile, a subsidiary of Foxconn, announced the purchase of Microsoft Mobile's feature phone business, including the manufacturing facility in Hanoi, Vietnam, for a total sale of US$350 million.

Foxconn announces $10 billion TV manufacturing plant in Wisconsin

On July 26, 2017, Foxconn announced plans to build a $10 billion TV manufacturing plant in southeastern Wisconsin, with the initial employment of 3,000 workers set to increase to 13,000. The agreement included substantial subsidies and was the largest ever given to a foreign firm in U.S. history.

Acquisition of Belkin International

A Foxconn unit, Foxconn Interconnect Technology, acquired Belkin International for $866m on 26 March 2018.

Young Liu Becomes Chairman of Foxconn

Young Liu was named the new chairman of Foxconn after the retirement of founder Terry Gou, effective on 1 July 2019. This transition signals the company's future focus on semiconductors, artificial intelligence, robotics, and autonomous driving.

Foxconn Starts Producing Medical Masks and Clothing

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Foxconn began producing medical masks and clothing at its Shenzhen factory in China. Initially intended for internal employee use, the masks became crucial in addressing the global shortage and contributed to epidemic prevention efforts.

Food Poisoning at Foxconn's Sriperumbudur Factory

On 15 December 2021, 256 workers at Foxconn's Sriperumbudur factory developed Acute Diarrhoeal Disease due to food poisoning. This incident led to protests and raised concerns about the living and working conditions of the workers.

Foxconn's Mexico-based production plant hit by ransomware attack

On June 2, 2022, Foxconn announced that their Mexico-based production plant had been hit by a ransomware attack, disrupting production and highlighting cybersecurity challenges in the manufacturing industry.

Signing of $19.5 Billion Pact for Semiconductor and Display Production Plant in Dholera Special Investment Region

A pact was signed to invest $19.5 billion in a semiconductor and display production plant to be set up at Dholera Special Investment Region near Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Struggle to Tie Up with a Technology Partner

Rajeev Chandrasekhar, minister of state for electronics and IT, mentioned that the joint venture is 'struggling' to tie up with a technology partner.

Involvement of STMicro in Vedanta-Foxconn Joint Venture

Vedanta-Foxconn brought STMicro on board for licensing technology, but the government expressed the desire for the European company to have more involvement in the partnership.

Foxconn's Withdrawal from the Semiconductor Joint Venture

Foxconn withdrew from the semiconductor joint venture in India.

Foxconn and Vedanta Partnership for Semiconductor and Display Production Plants in India

Foxconn partnered with Vedanta to establish semiconductor and display production plants in India. However, Foxconn later withdrew from the joint venture.

End of the Timeline
Foxconn

Popular

Short-form video hosting service

TikTok

American retired Navy SEAL and ultramarathon runner.

David Goggins

American ice cream chain

American Football

Contact team sport played in the United States.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

American supplier of analytical instruments and life sciences solutions.

Thermo Fisher Scientific

ADVERTISEMENT

Recently Added

Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.

English professional football club in Brighton and Hove

Professional football club in West London

Burnley F.C. is a football club in Lancashire

A.F.C. Bournemouth

Football club with roots dating back to 1890

Gustave Courbet

French Realism painter and innovator

ADVERTISEMENT