AirPods builder Inventec expanding capacity, growing workforce to meet demand

Apple supplier Inventec, who appears to be the sole provider of Apple's AirPods at this time, has started expanding capacity at its plants to satisfy worldwide demand for the wireless devices.

According to a Chinese-language report in the Economic Daily News, Inventec has brought on extra shifts, is growing manufacturing capacity, and has expanded working hours for assembly staff building Apple's AirPods.

Early November, Inventec claimed that it expected to see a 7% year-over-year revenue growth in 2017, just because of AirPods orders. No notable gain was expected for 2016.

Apple's AirPods, Powerbeats 3, and Beats Solo3 Wireless headphones all feature a the Apple-designed W1 chip that makes it easier to pair with multiple Apple devices. In addition to the W1, AirPods also include beam-forming microphones, accelerometers, infrared sensors, and a small charging and carrying case that will provide more power on the go as well as the sync mechanism.

Orders from Apple's online store still hold a six-week delay on shipping. While Apple retail stores are still seeing some shipments in limited quantities, store pickup orders at most locations aren't expected to be available until Feb. 21.

Previous rumors pegged Inventec and UEI Precision to hold the manufacturing contracts for the devices, but it is not clear at this time if UEI has delivered any units.

Stock monitoring service iStockNow has recently added the devices to its availability checker.

15 Comments

flaneur 14 Years · 4525 comments

About 7 years ago

AirPods are the new iPod. Amazing devices, a joy to use. Inventec should stay busy indefinitely.

fluffhead 8 Years · 55 comments

Hoping to get a pair of them soon!

frac 14 Years · 480 comments

flaneur said:

AirPods are the new iPod. Amazing devices, a joy to use. Inventec should stay busy indefinitely.

Amazing devices indeed. They've transformed my workshop listening experience almost miraculously where wires are really bad news safety wise and removed many of the small hindrances of tethered phone use.
My wife stills giggles about the 'look'...and that's good too

slprescott 10 Years · 759 comments

Apple will likely make more money from AirPods than Watch. Price is lower, but attach-rate will be much higher.

Sentiment will change from "Why?" to "Why not?"

frac said:

flaneur said:

AirPods are the new iPod. Amazing devices, a joy to use. Inventec should stay busy indefinitely.

Amazing devices indeed. They've transformed my workshop listening experience almost miraculously where wires are really bad news safety wise and removed many of the small hindrances of tethered phone use.
My wife stills giggles about the 'look'...and that's good too

I agree 100%. Wasting adrenaline on the constant snagging of those wires can shorten your life. Plus I think they're dangerous when you're using a bench grinder or a chainsaw, for example.

slprescott said:

Apple will likely make more money from AirPods than Watch. Price is lower, but attach-rate will be much higher.

Sentiment will change from "Why?" to "Why not?"

Well said. My sentiment has also hardened quite a bit toward those who laughed at these when they were announced. And they don't fall out.