Taiwanese publication DigiTimes is reporting through its anonymous sources inside the Apple supply chain that Hon Hai Precision Industry a.k.a Foxconn Electronics, is currently hiring workers for its factory in Zhengzhou, northern China, specifically for the production of next generation iPhone. The report has been reiterated by China Business News (via CNET), noting that the largest manufacturer of Apple’s iOS devices has appointed a recruitment firm to begin large-scale hiring of workers for its factory.
The report, that refers to the new iPhone model as the “iPhone 6,” does not mention any model number confirmation from Foxconn. Though there are speculations that the new model will feature a “borderless” design, aluminum and carbon fiber shell, and will be 40% lighter than the iPhone 5.
Currently, Foxconn has about 210,000 employees at its plants in Zhengzhou, but it is still a lot less than the number during the production peak in 2012 which stood at 300,000.
As for rumors that Foxconn has lost Sony’s notebook orders for 2014, although the company declined to comment, some market watchers pointed out that the orders are mostly products with low gross margins.
The source also notes that Hon Hai Precision will be able to maintain its high profits during the next financial year as well.
