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https://www.digitimes.com/news/a20180604PD202.html

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Apple is reportedly to tighten its grip on the supply chains of new MacBook models through direct pricing negotiations with third-party suppliers of non-key parts such as screws, metallic parts and plastics parts needed for the production of key components by contracted suppliers, a move seen to significantly squeeze profit margins of contracted supply partners, according to industry sources

But the reported move has not been confirmed by Apple.

The sources said that Apple has never interfered with the procurements of non-crucial materials and parts by its contracted producers of key components including processors, panels, batteries, chassis, and heat dissipation modules, allowing them to make purchases from approved third-party suppliers on their own.

But the new move, if enforced as reported for new MacBook models to be launched later, would erase the 10-15% profits from the purchases of materials.

Some Taiwan contracted supply chain partners of MacBook series in late May attended a meeting at Apple's headquarters, where they were told of the company's latest procurement policy.

New procurement practices

Apple has reportedly decided to expand its centralized procurement coverage to include upstream materials such as copper and cobalt, and non-key parts and components from third-party suppliers. The electronics giant will reportedly directly set the prices and order volumes for such materials and minor parts and components, instead of only screening the name lists of qualified third-party suppliers proposed by contracted supply chain partners and inspecting their supply quality and shipment schedules.

Industry watchers said that contracted supply chain partners for MacBook series would probably earn only the contract production fees after the new procurement policy is implemented.

Squeezing the manufacturing partners' profits is mainly aimed at further lowering production costs, having little to do with sales performance of MacBook devices.

The watchers said that despite the overall sales decline in the PC market, MacBook series still saw shipments surge 2.38% on year to 18.98 million units and corresponding revenues soar 9.31% on year in 2017.

They said contracted supply chain players will have to boost their self-sufficiency for components or venture into other lucrative business segments including cloud, AI and automotive electronics applications, so as to secure better profitability.