US TNC – company started business in 1976
Market predominantly in richer, developed countries – 44% of sales in USA in 2011
BACKGROUND
Headquarters based in Cupertino, northern California
Started business in 1976
Since 2000 has experienced phenomenal growth
Number one global brand by value
98,000 full time employees
SPATIAL ORGANISATION
Main products designed in Silicon Valley, California and made in mainland china by
Foxconn
Products are sold worldwide but mostly in developed countries/HICs
Headquarters + research design centre located on apple headquarters in Cupertino
3 further data centres in USA
Main production centre is Foxconn in Shenzhen, China
IRELAND
Apple was lured to locate in Ireland by the government’s 12.5% corporation tax
Employs 4000 workers
Presence in cork has now generated a further 2500 jobs
Company has contributed to infrastructural development in Cork
Many of the highly skilled workers are foreign – thus Apple has been accused of not
creating sufficient work for locals
Apple has been accused of avoiding corporate tax - it was claimed Apple had
received favourable treatment of tax from Irish government
CHINA
Large source of highly skilled, low paid workers – cheap cost of labour
Generates jobs and brings investment into china (FDI)
Foxconn city is a business park - contains high security and workers work on site