Foxconn opts to make smaller displays at Wisconsin plant

OSAKA/TAIPEI -- Hon Hai Precision Industry, better known as Foxconn Technology Group, is considering producing small to midsized displays for Apple, automakers and others at its $10 billion factory planned for the U.S. state of Wisconsin, people familiar with the matter said.

Foxconn's shift to making diversified displays for cars, personal computers, tablets, mobile devices, televisions and niche products represents a change from its previous plan to churn out large panels, mainly for TVs, at the new plant. Production of large panels would have required a more complete local supply chain and greater initial investment in equipment.

In response, Foxconn said "it is fully committed to this significant investment" in the U.S. The Taiwanese company also said the total amount of $10 billion has not changed.

The shift in Foxconn's plans comes as global panel makers face a glut of TV displays that likely will last for years, as many Chinese companies, including BOE Technology Group, are aggressively adding capacity.

Foxconn is the first Apple supplier and one of the most notable foreign companies to respond to U.S. President Donald Trump's "Made in America" call. Company Chairman and founder Terry Gou last July announced the plan to build a $10 billion liquid crystal display project and create 13,000 jobs in Wisconsin over four years, an investment that Trump said would not have taken place if not for his efforts to bring manufacturing back onto U.S. soil.

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