Apple Insider
Our industry expert rounds-up the biggest Apple corporate stories circulating this month
Apple on a hiring spree
Reports that Apple has ceased innovating may be inaccurate; the company is apparently hiring hundreds of engineers in Asia in order to deliver faster and more frequent product launches, reports the Wall Street Journal.
The report claims the company is engaged in a hiring blitz in China and Taiwan, with new recruits including engineers from HTC and other big tech firms. The company is building teams in Shanghai and Taipei. Hundreds of new engineers are working with suppliers across the company’s Asian manufacturing chains to develop components for future iPhones and iPads, including what Apple called “new iPhone product development”.
Apple CFO to retire
Apple CFO, Peter Oppenheimer, (left) will retire from the company from September and also join the board at Goldman Sachs. He will be replaced by current VP finance, Luca Maestri. “I love Apple and the people I have had the privilege to work with, and after 18 years here it is time for me to take time for myself and my family,” Oppenheimer said.
Apple CEO Tim Cook said, “Peter has served as our CFO as Apple’s annual revenue grew from $8 billion to $171 billion, and our global footprint expanded dramatically,” and who also called Oppenheimer a “dear friend I always knew I could count on”. Cook noted that Apple would “not miss a beat" as Maestri takes over the reins.
Toward conflict-free phones
Apple is working hard to cease use of conflict minerals in its products, and in February confirmed it has managed to stop using tantalum in its latest Supplier Responsibility Report. Apple’s senior VP operations, Jeff Williams, also confirmed Apple is attempting to drive suppliers to using conflict-free gold, tin and tungsten by naming and shaming those who do not comply with its ethical sourcing guidelines. Conflict minerals come from extremely dangerous regions characterised by violent conflict led by local warlords who finance struggle by selling the minerals, usually mined through forced labour.