Foxconn sees COVID-hit China plant back at full output in late Dec-early Jan

Apple supplier Foxconn expects its COVID-hit Zhengzhou plant in China to resume full production around late December to early January, a Foxconn source said on Monday, after worker unrest last month disrupted the world’s biggest iPhone factory.

The Zhengzhou plant has been grappling with strict COVID-19 restrictions that have fuelled discontent among workers over conditions at the factory.Following the November unrest, that saw workers clash with security personnel, Foxconn could have seen more than 30% of the Zhengzhou site’s November production affected, Reuters reported last month citing a source familiar with the matter. Foxconn hasn’t disclosed details of the impact of the disruption on its production plans or finances.

The person declined to the named as the information was private.“If the recruitment goes smoothly, it could take around three to four weeks to resume full production,” the person said, pointing to a period around late December to early January.

The Taiwanese company said last month it expects a slight decline in fourth-quarter revenues year-on-year for its smart consumer electronics business, which includes smartphones, and significant growth for cloud and network products.

Foxconn shares closed flat, in line with the broader market which ended up 0.1%.