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Article

7 Sep 2011

Author:
Michael Skapinker, Financial Times [UK]

Time for Apple to open its factories

It is hard for companies to keep track of…their sub-contractors…The[y]…often operate in countries where inspection is lax or non-existent…Apple was in familiar straits when it faced accusations that some of its Chinese contractors were causing widespread pollution. The allegations were particularly damaging. The campaigners accusing Apple were Chinese, not westerners…Apple takes contractors’ behaviour seriously… But it could do much more…Apple does not generally say who its contractors are…The clothing and sportswear industry has done it differently. In 2005, Nike posted the names and addresses of its suppliers on its website. Levi Strauss and Adidas have done the same…Opening your factories to the world is a statement that you would prefer to know the truth and that those who uncover dark secrets will be thanked for their trouble rather than vilified. [also refers to Foxconn (part of Hon Hai), Wintek]