Verified Document

Apple And Supply Chain Management Term Paper

Apple Inc. An Analysis of Apple's Manufacturing Process

What products or services of the company are you analyzing?

Apple is one of the world's premier manufactures of a product mix consisting of electronics goods, and related software applications, in a broad range of different industry segments. The company has a global supply chain that spans the globe and markets its products in a number of different international markets.

Apple's current mission statement is "Apple designs Macs, the best personal computers in the world, along with OS X, iLife, iWork and professional software. Apple leads the digital music revolution with its iPods and iTunes online store. Apple has reinvented the mobile phone with its revolutionary iPhone and App store, and is defining the future of mobile media and computing devices with iPad (Investopedia, 2015)."

How are these products made or services provided?

The distribution channels for Apple's products depend on the particular product. For example, software and digital media can be directly downloaded from the company's web platforms. Apple's electronic goods are distributed through direct and indirect channels however. From its direct and channel pricing strategy to its retail and online storefronts, Apple sells its products like no other company in the consumer electronics space and Apple never...

Therefore, Apple has developed its distribution channels so that they can maintain a significant amount of control internally and use this strategy to maximize its value to its shareholders.
Does the company provide both products and services?

Yes. One type of service could be considered the software and software updates that are regularly applied to existing products that have been sold in the market. However, in addition to product software updates, Apple also offers a range of service programs that are focused on the physical maintenance and service of the products that it sells as well.

Did the company outsource the manufacture of its products?

Apple's strategy is to outsource nearly all of its production to strategic partnerships in foreign locations where there is labor that is highly skilled and comparably inexpensive; primarily China. Apple basically creates the product designs internally, by collaborating with its suppliers, and then hands off the production operations to their strategic partners in the supply chain. Furthermore, Apple tries to keep many of the details about the operations about its supply chain as confidential as possible and it can be difficult to get any…

Sources used in this document:
Works Cited

Cunningham, A. (2014, December 8). Apple manager gets year in jail, $4.5m fine for selling industry secrets. Retrieved from ARS Technica: http://arstechnica.com/apple/2014/12/apple-manager-gets-year-in-jail-4-5m-fine-for-selling-industry-secrets/

Hillsberg, A. (2014, September 17). How & Where iPhone Is Made: Comparison Of Apple's Manufacturing Process. Retrieved from CampareCamp.com: http://comparecamp.com/how-where-iPhone-is-made-comparison-of-apples-manufacturing-process/

Investopedia. (2015, April 23). What is Apple's current mission statement and how does it differ from Steve Job's original ideals? Retrieved from Investopedia: http://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/042315/what-apples-current-mission-statement-and-how-does-it-differ-steve-jobs-original-ideals.asp

Josep, T. (2015, May 16). Apple's Sales and channel strategy -- key to it's success. Retrieved from Marketing Management Blog: https://mpk732.wordpress.com/author/tjosep/
Luk, L. (2015, August 7). Foxconn Worker Dies at iPhone Assembly Plant in China. Retrieved from The Wall Street Journal: http://www.wsj.com/articles/foxconn-worker-dies-at-iPhone-assembly-plant-in-china-1438934523
Meyer, D. (2011, February 3). Can Apple Redeem Itself on Supply Chain Sustainability? Taking a Cue on Accountability from Nike's Playbook. Retrieved from Valuestreaming: http://valuestream2009.wordpress.com/2011/02/03/can-apple-redeem-itself-on-supply-chain-sustainability-taking-a-cue-on-accountability-from-nike%E2%80%99s-playbook/
Moore, A. (2016, May 10). Complete guide to Apple's Campus 2: Everything we know about the new spaceship HQ -- New drone videos -- Apple showcases new headquarters -- Video: sneak peek at building progess. Retrieved from Mac World: http://www.macworld.co.uk/feature/apple/apple-spaceship-campus-facts-pictures-video-info-video-3489704/
Moore, M. (2010, February 27). Apple admits using child labour. Retrieved from The Telegraph: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/7330986/Apple-admits-using-child-labour.html
Wailgum, T. (2011, June 6). Gartner Top 25 Supply Chain: Apple Tops, SAP Customers Abound. Retrieved from SAP News, Analysis and Insight: http://www.asugnews.com/2011/06/06/gartner-top-25-supply-chain-apple-tops-sap-customers-abound/
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Logistics and Supply Chain Management System: Apple
Words: 753 Length: 3 Document Type: Essay

Apple: Supply Chain Management System Today, Apple is regarded not only one of the most successful, but also one of the most innovative companies in the world. The company has in the past raked in significantly higher returns than its peers, thanks to its unique approach to doing business. As a matter of fact, when it comes to supply chain management, Apple is regarded a market leader by most analysts. Apple's Logistics

Supply Chain Ann Supply Chain Management Annotated
Words: 1352 Length: 3 Document Type: Annotated Bibliography

Supply Chain Ann Supply Chain Management Annotated Bibliography Chopra, S., & Meindl, P. (2010). Supply chain management: Strategy, planning and operation (4th ed.).Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall The text by Chopra & Meindl (2010) is an excellent starting point for this discussion, primarily because it serves as a rather exhaustive introductory reading on the subject. Providing academic explanation of the basic premise of supply chain management and an extensive investigation of the

Supply Chain Management As a
Words: 2902 Length: 9 Document Type: Case Study

This shift in responsibility that a payoff can force over time needs to be dealt with from a business process management and change management standpoint over the long-term (Jacobs, Chase, 2010). By concentrating on the unique requirements and needs of the internal stakeholders, payoff analysis can be profitable and productive over the long-term. References: Juan Alberto Aragon-Correa, & Enrique a Rubio-Lopez. (2007). Proactive Corporate Environmental Strategies: Myths and Misunderstandings. Long-Range Planning,

Supply Chain Management Over the
Words: 1477 Length: 5 Document Type: Case Study

At the same time, it will provide the various subcontractors with specifications on how they can create the different parts. Once this occurs, it means that the overall process has been shortened from design to product implementation. Identify slack in the activities not on the project critical path. The different slack activities that are not on the projects critical path include: circuit, battery, display, camera and user interface designs. The slack

Apples Supply Chain and Logistics
Words: 312 Length: 1 Document Type: Research Paper

What Is It About? Apple’s Supplier Responsibility 2017 Progress Report includes a section on supply chain logistics, management, and ethics. In a special section entitled, “Manufacturing with the World In Mind,” Apple asserts its commitment to working with suppliers that can help them reach their environmental goals. Part of the global supply chain strategy is to help all partners switch to renewable energy. Ultimate goals include “driving programs that minimize carbon

Supply Chain Management at Wal-Mart
Words: 918 Length: 3 Document Type: Case Study

Improvement at Wal-Mart Stores How can the logistics processes be improved in your organization? The logistic process of Wal-Mart provides results that have propelled the retail giant to the top income earning company in 2007. They are the first store to assume the first place in sales in the Fortune 500 magazine, exceeding giants in the energy sector: Chevron and Exxon Mobil; and manufacturer: General Motors. Wal-Mart's growth is based on

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now