Apple likely to add one more manufacturer for iPad 3

Apple might be planning to add a second manufacturer for the next iPad – the iPad 3 due early next year. This could be a preventive measure to counter any sudden surge in demand for the popular tablet series. Right now the only manufacturer is Foxconn, but there could be a second one soon. Although there are no confirmations, Taiwan-based Quanta Computer and Petagron Technology could be among the strong contenders – as reported by Digitimes. Note that Petagron already has the orders for the iPhone in its pocket.

There could be many reasons for adding this second manufacturer. It could be to avoid situation like that in case of the iPad 2 where there still is a gap between demand and supply. Till now the iPad 2 delivery period has been between 1 to 2 weeks, which has recently become 3-5 days courtesy Apple for finally getting things right. Another reason could be to minimize production risk at the Foxconn facility. Only recently there was an explosion in Foxconn’s Chengdu facility in western China.

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