Foxconn in talks with US states over factory plans

Foxconn Technology Group, the maker of Apple's iPhones and iPads, is in talks with several US states to build advanced facilities as part of plans to set up factories closer to its clients.

Arizona governor Jan Brewer met Foxconn's founder and chairman Terry Gou in November, while officials from Colorado, Texas, New York, New Jersey and Louisiana had all made contact with the company, said Simon Hsing, a spokesman for Taipei-based Foxconn.

Foxconn, the world's largest contract manufacturer of electronics, may expand in its largest market as clients Apple seek to have their products made in the United States.

"The move is in line with President Barack Obama's policy, which is moving production jobs to the US from overseas," said Xiang Ligang, an independent industry commentator. "Apple is Foxconn's largest client. Foxconn needs to co-operate with its customers in order to maintain them."

Xiang said Foxconn would not be able to move much of its manufacturing to the US.

"In order to produce an iPhone, Foxconn needs a piece of land, a plant and thousands of workers," he said. "There are no big differences in the first two items between China and the US, but only in China will you be able to get a large number of trained workers who would like to do extra hours when there are urgent orders."