Apple’s history is one long success story; the firm was founded in the USA 50 years ago and the myth of its origins in a Californian garage persists to this day, although the tale may have grown somewhat in the telling. What is undeniable, however, is that Apple has since grown into a highly successful international concern, and the company has been guided through its highs and lows with vision and courage; Steve Jobs, one of the three founders, had the air of a guru of genius about him.
The products in the Apple universe are famously innovative and reliable, but what might be found inside them and where individual components come from is less well known. There is nonetheless plenty of evidence to suggest that firms from Austria have been part of the Apple supply chain for years, and this anniversary is a good opportunity to celebrate this connection as well! The firms are listed in alphabetical order to avoid any hint of favouritism:
ams-OSRAM AG specialises in innovative light and sensor technology, and this Austrian firm has developed solutions for ambient light and proximity sensors, enabling e.g. automatic display adaptation and screen switch-off when on a call. When Apple used a new facial recognition solution for the iPhone X, the CEO of ams AG (the company’s previous name) was moved to make the proud claim mentioned above, as the technology was packed with components from Austria.
AT&S Austria Technologie & Systemtechnik Aktiengesellschaft is a global market leader in the manufacture of high-end circuit boards and IC substrates. The Austrian company’s microelectronics are used in smartphones and other mobile end user devices in which high-performance chips and speedy processing performance are required.
Infineon Technologies Austria AG leads the world in manufacturing semiconductor solutions and is part of Apple’s European supply chain, although it is difficult to ascertain precisely which Infineon chips are used in which Apple products. Infineon’s global skill centre for high-performance electronics is undoubtedly based in Austria, however, which means that the research, development and production of energy-efficient Austrian semiconductors has been applied to a whole spectrum of modern electronic and digital products all round the world.
NXP Semiconductors Austria GmbH is the global skill centre for secure, contactless ID systems, NFC und cryptography for the NXP group, and it is here that software and hardware solutions are developed, creating the technological fundamentals Apple require for e.g. their wallet, payment and access functions.
The Plansee Group processes high-performance metals such as tungsten and molybdenum to manufacture components for Apple’s supply chain. The Austrian firm has undertaken to use only energy from renewable sources for Apple, thus bringing the Plansee Group into line with the US concern’s “Clean Energy Program“.
TDK Electronics and Apple have a long history of cooperation – the company develops highly sensitive sensor systems based on the tunnel magnetoresistance effect that underpin e.g. a smartphone’s camera stabilisation function. The site in Austria is the TDK group’s largest facility in Europe, combining research, materials and process development with industrial manufacturing.
Apple’s fiftieth will also mark the dawning of a new era; after 15 years at the helm, Tim Cook will be handing on the baton to John Ternus, who will take over as CEO and lead the company into the future.
