Future and Trends: Manufacturing an Apple Product



Abstract

Apple Computers has matured into a media powerhouse with its long tentacles in every aspect of the business. Apple Computers plays a major role in the consumption (iPod and Mac) and distribution (iTunes Store) of music, once thought to be the exclusive domain of giant record tables. The core competency of Apple Computers is to make technology easier to use for its competitors. Apple Computers underlying philosophy is to design products that are easy-to-use and beautifully designed. Simplicity is the mantra. The popularity of this growing market requires manufacturers to be able to create products more innovative, using functional processes still unknown. It is to master the art of combining aesthetics with technology. Apple focuses on both the product development and the product innovation strategies in order to compete in the industry. Apple has a strong focus on research and development (R&D) as continual investment in R&D is critical for the development and enhancement of innovative products and technologies. For Apple, the trends of growth rely heavily on the R&D and strategic focus. This paper reviews the success history of Apple products. The paper reviews the product, human resource and marketing developments of Apple Inc. and suggests ways in which leadership of Apple and companies manufacturing products similar to Apple can benefit for commercial sustainability.

Future and Trends: Manufacturing an Apple Product

Introduction

Apple Inc., Formerly Apple Computer, Inc., is a company multinational U.S. that designs and sells consumer electronics, from computers and computer software. Among the best-known products of the company's computers are Macintosh, the iPod, the iPhone and the iPad , the media player iTunes , the office suite iWork , the multimedia suite iLife and software for professionals such as Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro. In 2010, the company employed 46 600 employees for an annual turnover of 65.23 billion dollars. It operates with 301 Apple Stores in 10 countries and an online store that sells the hardware and software from Apple and third parties.

Apple was established on 1 April 1976 to Cupertino (in California) by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, and incorporated as a company on Jan. 3, 1977 originally under the name of Apple Computer Inc. For 30 years it reflected diversification of its products, so the word "computer" was removed on January 9, 2007. Its approach is based on innovation, ergonomics and aesthetics of its products popular with consumers in its advertising campaigns and original customers who identify with the company and the brand. Apple has built a reputation in the singular consumer electronics industry (Carlton 1998).

According to a ranking of the magazine Fortune, Apple is the most admired company in the world in 2008, 2009 and 2010. However, the company also received much criticism of working conditions of its workers, its business practices and environmental disregard. All of its products are manufactured in Asian countries such as the India or China, especially in plants of Foxconn described as concentration camps by a Chinese academic ...