No, Foxconn is not a Chinese company. It is a Taiwanese multinational electronics contract manufacturer headquartered in Tucheng District, New Taipei, Taiwan. Even though majority of Foxconn’s manufacturing facilities are located in China, it is a Taiwanese company with respect to ownership and corporate identity. The company assembles and manufactures computers, smartphones, gaming consoles, servers, televisions, cables, integrated circuits and other electrical components and electronics. Foxconn is a contract manufacturing partner for a number of global giants, including Apple, Microsoft, HP, Sony, Nintendo and Google.
| Details | Info |
| Founded | 1974 |
| Founder | Terry Gou |
| Headquarters | Tucheng District, New Taipei, Taiwan |
| CEO | Young Liu |
| Sector | Electronics |
Company History
Foxconn was founded as Hon Hai Precision Industry Company Limited by Terry Gou in the year 1974. It started as a manufacturer of plastic knobs for black-and-white televisions before shifting to electrical connectors in 1975. By 1980, the company had become a key supplier of electrical connectors for US and Japanese firms.
The company established its first factory in mainland China at Shenzhen in the year 1981. Foxconn was first used as a brand name globally in the year 1988. In the year 2000, Foxconn became Apple’s main assembly partner for iPods and iMacs. Foxconn was chosen by Intel to manufacture its Intel-branded motherboards in the year 2001.
Foxconn started assembling Apple’s iPhones in the year 2007. In the 2010-12 period, Foxconn expanded rapidly in China, building factories in Chengdu, Zhengzhou, Taiyuan and Chongqing. The company ventured into display panel and TV manufacturing by acquiring Sharp Corporation in the year 2016.
Current Status
Foxconn is the largest contract manufacturer of electronics in the world. It has a share of 40-50% in the global consumer electronics assembly market. Key subsidiaries and brands of the company include Foxconn, Foxconn International Holdings, FIH Mobile, Sharp Corporation, Belkin and Innolux.
Foxconn has a vast global network of manufacturing facilities with over 130 campuses and offices across 24 countries. 70-80% of the company’s manufacturing base is centred in China, with the rest in countries like India, Mexico, Vietnam and the United States. China accounts for around 60% of iPhone production, while 25-30% of iPhone production takes place in India.
Foxconn has diversified into AI through partnerships with OpenAI and NVIDIA. It has also ventured into EV manufacturing.
Future Outlook
Foxconn aims to sustain double-digit growth in AI infrastructure through 2026. The company plans to launch EV models in Asian markets from 2026 onwards. Foxconn is looking to reduce its manufacturing capacity in China to less than 50% by 2030 in order to accelerate production in other countries like India and set up new hubs in Europe and Middle East.
