Apple reportedly finalises iPad 3 supplier list, production to begin in October

Apple is said to have finalised its iPad 3 supplier list, retaining many of its key partners in the iPad 2 supply chain, and will begin production of its next generation tablet device in October, CENS reports.

The Taiwanese industry publication says Apple’s contract manufacturers in the supply chain are ready to supply components, with the Cupertino-based company likely to retain LG Display as its main display panel supplier, dumping Samsung and adding Sharp, while Hon Hai (Foxconn et al.) is to continue handling assembly of the highly sought after device.

Apple’s other suppliers include:

Taiwan’s Radiant Opto-Electronics Corp., a backlight module producer already certificated by Apple, and panel makers TPK Holdings Co., Ltd. and Wintek Corp. will also join the supply chain of iPad 3.

Richtek Technology Corp., a Taiwanese IC designer, has reportedly garnered part of Apple’s contract orders for power management ICs used for display panels of iPad 3, while Integrated Memory Logic Ltd. (IML), a fab-less semiconductor foundry, has also been contracted to exclusively supply integrated P-Gamma/DVR/VCOM chips.

CENS sources put component deliveries at one million units, suggesting Apple isn’t overloading its suppliers’ production output and jeopardising deliveries of the iPad 2.

Making sure it can retain its shipment quota, Apple has partners with Pegatron as its second iPad manufacturer, keeping the company on standby should Foxconn’s production output be impacted. The Chinese company suffered fire damage in one of its factories last year, affecting shipments of Apple’s iPad after it suspended production to determine the cause.