Apple supplier Foxlink has admitted a fire damaged its plant in Tirupati, India, and that disruptions to production are to be expected as a result.
Foxlink – or Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd. as it is known in Taiwan – bills itself as "a total solution provider for fully-assembled accessories containing essential mechanical and electronic components." In Tirupati that translates into operating a plant that employs around 400 staff and is believed to build Lightning cables for Apple. Whatever goes on at the plant, Foxlink acknowledged the February 27 fire in a pair of regulatory filings.
One states: "we followed detailed protocols to evacuate everyone quickly and safely," adding "There were no serious injuries and all employees have returned to their accommodation." The second filing reports four production lines have been affected, but that as Foxlink is insured for plant, equipment, and inventory the blaze won't impact its bottom line. At least two months will reportedly be required before production returns to full capacity.
But trouble of another sort may not be far away for Foxlink. Local fire authorities told Reuters that smoke detectors, sprinklers and fire hydrants were faulty, and fire alarms did not go off. Foxlink will feel the regulatory lash if that assessment is verified.
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