By Lorraine Luk
TAIPEI--Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. (2317.TW) Chairman Terry
Gou said Monday that, in a few years' time, automation will replace
all 'monotonous and repetitive' tasks performed at the company's
plants in China, including those assembling Apple Inc.'s (AAPL)
iPhone and iPad.
Speaking to shareholders at the company's annual general
meeting, Mr. Gou said the first fully automated plants in China
will likely become operational in five to 10 years.
The world's biggest contract manufacturer of electronic
products, also one of the biggest employers in China, will provide
training to assembly line workers and hopes to upgrade them to
product designers or engineers, he said.
Mr. Gou also said Hon Hai has set up a new unit to develop a
special glue which will enable the company to produce thinner and
lighter electronic devices. It is also developing a technology to
produce frameless, or bezel-free, televisions, he added.
Write to Lorraine Luk at lorraine.luk@dowjones.com