Foxconn narrows search for new display plant to seven US states

[Cal Jeffrey]

Foxconn, one of Apple’s major suppliers, is planning to invest at least $10 billion in the United States, including a $7 billion display manufacturing plant. It hasn't been decided where the company wants to build the facility, but according to Bloomberg, Foxconn chairman Terry Gou said they have narrowed it down to seven states.

It appears Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Texas are all candidates for the display factory, which could mean an estimated 30-50 thousand jobs for the state. The plant is only budgeted at $7 billion so that means $3 billion or more could be invested in other areas as well.

"Our investment in the US will focus on these states because they are the heart of the country’s manufacturing sector."

Gou did not indicate whether the company was leaning toward one particular state or another. Although, the Wisconsin State Journal reported last week that Milwaukee is being considered as the location for the facility. President Trump addressed Milwaukee on June 13. In his remarks, he mentioned that his administration had been in negotiations with an undisclosed company and that Governor Scott Walker might be in for “a very happy surprise soon.”

“We have a lot of companies moving into the United States. We’re negotiating with a lot of companies. Just backstage we were negotiating with a major, major incredible manufacturer of phones and computers and televisions, and I think they’re going to give the governor a very happy surprise.”

Talks of the US manufacturing plant come in the midst of faltering buyout negotiations between Foxconn and Toshiba. The Apple supplier has been bidding to take over Toshiba, offering as much as $27 billion just to get the Japanese firm to take notice. However, Toshiba seems to be favoring a Japanese consortium for the deal.

“The Toshiba deal isn’t over," Gou vowed. "It is similar to Sharp’s story. I believe we still have a big chance.” Foxconn is expected to come to a decision on where to build the display plant by July.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/69839-foxconn-narrows-search-new-display-plant-six-us.html

 

[alabama man]

Foxconn, the company that has suicide nets, why would anyone who has freedom want to work there? I get it works on chinese slave labor but how will it work in america? You do have low minimum wages I give you that and almost as bad rights for workers... ..maybe it will work after all.

 

[Jibberish18]

I doubt Illinois will get it but they could use it.

 

[Uncle Al]

They will make maximum use of robotic's and advanced assembly techniques. I seriously doubt we are talking 30-50 thousand jobs unless you are counting all the trickle down jobs like transportation, shipping, and other suppliers and even then the hiring won't be nearly that large. Just more Pie in the Sky to make people believe ... just look at those plants that Trump supposedly "saved" ..... they are turning over on that promise already .....

 

[Evernessince]

They will make maximum use of robotic's and advanced assembly techniques. I seriously doubt we are talking 30-50 thousand jobs unless you are counting all the trickle down jobs like transportation, shipping, and other suppliers and even then the hiring won't be nearly that large. Just more Pie in the Sky to make people believe ... just look at those plants that Trump supposedly "saved" ..... they are turning over on that promise already .....

And I don't see any reason any business would not seek maximum profits. Place this factory in a right to work state, pay minimum wage, automate what you can, and pay for as little employee comfort as legally possible. Any business in a capitalist system will do this and it's why regulations are required. It's like asking businessmen not to take free money, of course they are going to take it.

 

[psycros]

This plant will go to the state with (in order of decreasing importance) the lowest average wages, the most lax workplace regulations and the weakest environmental laws. That would be true in any free market, anywhere on Earth. But the states aren't really competing with each other because even places like WV and MI are socialist utopias compared to Mexico, most of Asia, Africa and nearly anywhere outside the West. As long as the ruling class keeps sending jobs to craphole nations with no worker rights the first world economies will continue to shrink and falter. Of course, the first step would be making it illegal for those politicians to sit on the boards of companies who are exporting jobs while importing H1B serfs. If exploitation of foreign workers is allowed to continue we will have no choice but to institute draconian socialism. While the left would be fine with this the corporate right's hatred of paying taxes is the only thing preventing the US from becoming the next Venezuela. Automation is another matter: how do you tell a company that it can't replace workers with more efficient machines? Note that I said more efficient, not better - in many cases the human worker is still the best option if you want the job done right. Customer service is a good example. Nevertheless, increased automation is going to put more people on the welfare rolls. Nobody buys the corporatist fantasy that new jobs will be magically created by changing economics. The few times in history that this has actually occurred, businesses have still reduced their payrolls..because that's the whole point.

Ironically, if it were a corporate office being shopped around instead of a plant it would end up wherever there were lots of high-end bars and golf courses.

 

[Raytrace3D]

'Deal could net "tens of thousands" of *crappy* American job' - fixed it for ya.

 

[Tanstar]

They will make maximum use of robotic's and advanced assembly techniques. I seriously doubt we are talking 30-50 thousand jobs unless you are counting all the trickle down jobs like transportation, shipping, and other suppliers and even then the hiring won't be nearly that large. Just more Pie in the Sky to make people believe ... just look at those plants that Trump supposedly "saved" ..... they are turning over on that promise already .....

And I don't see any reason any business would not seek maximum profits. Place this factory in a right to work state, pay minimum wage, automate what you can, and pay for as little employee comfort as legally possible. Any business in a capitalist system will do this and it's why regulations are required. It's like asking businessmen not to take free money, of course they are going to take it.

Your description only works if there are sufficient workers that WANT to work and can't find other work. Otherwise they will have to pay as much as similar factories in the area. West Virginia or somewhere with a similar failing economy (coal based in this case) you might could pull it off. You also want to pay enough that you don't have non-stop turnover, or you will spend more on training than you save in pay.

 

[Evernessince]

Your description only works if there are sufficient workers that WANT to work and can't find other work. Otherwise they will have to pay as much as similar factories in the area. West Virginia or somewhere with a similar failing economy (coal based in this case) you might could pull it off. You also want to pay enough that you don't have non-stop turnover, or you will spend more on training than you save in pay.

These factories aren't popping up all over the place and most of these people have no choice but to take these jobs. FYI Coal jobs are LONG gone.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_mining_in_the_United_States#Coal_mining_employment

Nothing Trump can do or say is going to bring back those terrible jobs but he can be sure that working conditions and pay at these new jobs rival China.

Turnover isn't a problem. As I stated above, these people have nowhere else to go. There will be a few well paid line managers and engineers. Everyone else is replaceable.

 

[Tanstar]

These factories aren't popping up all over the place and most of these people have no choice but to take these jobs. FYI Coal jobs are LONG gone.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coal_mining_in_the_United_States#Coal_mining_employment

Nothing Trump can do or say is going to bring back those terrible jobs but he can be sure that working conditions and pay at these new jobs rival China.

Turnover isn't a problem. As I stated above, these people have nowhere else to go. There will be a few well paid line managers and engineers. Everyone else is replaceable.

I work for an international corporation that makes internal car parts. Coal production was an example of an industry that is dead and it's workers could be taken advantage of. Most of the nation is in better shape than that. Our line workers start at $12 an hour and can go much higher, with competition to keep the best from moving on. That's not great money, but it's above minimum wage. I guess the economy might be much worse in the above states than the deep south states I work in, but that seems unlikely. Our HQ and largest plant is in TN, with factories in MS, Al and OH. Even in Mexico, turnover can be a problem. We've had sub-suppliers lose their entire workforce when the plant down the road offered everyone a 25 cent an hour raise.

 

[Evernessince]

I work for an international corporation that makes internal car parts. Coal production was an example of an industry that is dead and it's workers could be taken advantage of. Most of the nation is in better shape than that. Our line workers start at $12 an hour and can go much higher, with competition to keep the best from moving on. That's not great money, but it's above minimum wage. I guess the economy might be much worse in the above states than the deep south states I work in, but that seems unlikely. Our HQ and largest plant is in TN, with factories in MS, Al and OH. Even in Mexico, turnover can be a problem. We've had sub-suppliers lose their entire workforce when the plant down the road offered everyone a 25 cent an hour raise.

Car parts have to be made to tighter tolerances so the additional training and pay is understandable. Not to mention, the car industry is very healthy in the US, with most Americans needing a car to even survive. The last time I checked, it was 2 cars to every one American.

 

[MilwaukeeMike]

It's been announced! 13,000 jobs coming to Southeast Wisconsin!

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/26/business/foxconn-factory-wisconsin-jobs.html