Chinese manufacturer Wingtech surprised to become Apple's new MacBook assembler, leveraged by its earlier acquisitions of companies on Apple's supplier list

Editing by Greg Gao

China mainland-based Wingtech Technology is reportedly to become exclusive assembler for Apple's new MacBooks in 2022, replacing Taiwan region-based manufacturers, including Quanta and Hon Hai, according to a recent report by DIGITIMES.

A Taiwan region's Apple supply chain industry insider revealed that Wingtech (闻泰科技), a listed ODM(Original Design Manufacturer)  giant headquartered in Shanghai, is in the initial trial production stage after setting up production lines.  

In February this year, Wingtech Technology signed an acquisition agreement with OFILM(欧菲光), a camera modules supplier to Apple, and purchased the relevant business assets owned by the company. The deal also includes 100% equity of Guangzhou Delta Imaging Technology held by OFILM, indicating Wingtech's entry as Apple's main supplier of camera products.

After taking on Apple's new MacBooks assembly business, Wingtech will further consolidate its position in Apple's supply chain, improving its competitiveness in the ODM field to win more orders.

Apple's current MacBook lineup is the only product line fully assembled by Taiwan-based manufacturers. Chinese mainland assembly plants have already built Apple's other products. In recent years, the shipment proportion of Apple's products like AirPods assembled in Chinese mainland factories has increased, gradually pressuring Taiwan factories out of Apple's major supplier list.

Apple intended to diversify Mac assembling service providers in the past; Taiwanese Compal(仁宝) and Pegatron(和硕) have proactively sought Apple's orders. Apple is said to have visited Chinese mainland factories for Mac assembly.

Wingtech initially focused on mobile phone, tablet, IoT, and notebook ODM business. It acquired Nexperia, NXP's global semiconductor manufacturer in the UK in 2020 and became Apple's power device supplier. In 2021, it acquired OFILM's camera module, shocking the Taiwan region industry.

Another notebook supply chain insider pointed out that Apple has a clear attitude toward diversifying its production and supply chain; It tried to enlist Chinese manufacturers for Mac assembly before. Wingtech's win implies that Apple's notebook assembly is no longer entirely dependent on Taiwanese manufacturers.

Apple MacBook's growth momentum had continued unabated in recent years, especially when Apple began to ditch Intel processors and switch to its own more cost-effective M-series processors. Consumers have welcomed it and brought Apple more sales. Apple's MacBook shipments are far better than in the global notebook market. According to DIGITIMES Research, the global notebook shipments are expected to increase by 17.4% in 2021, while the MacBook shipments by 27.21%.