the corner office

This is an extremely interesting read about why iPhones are made in China (via).

The upshot is that it's not just about cheap labour, it's about scale, and flexibility, and supply chains.

The article focuses on the impact on the 'middle class' in the US but it's equally pertinent (probably more so) to the UK. I've always thought the 'Western Country X needs more manufacturing' mantra is misguided and hopeless, this article goes some way to explaining why.

As an aside, it turns out that iPhone glass is made by the company which, until about 15 years ago, were the people who made Corningware.