LG iPhone camera module factory closed after first coronavirus case

The LG Innotek factory that supplies iPhone camera modules has closed in Gumi, South Korea after the first case of coronavirus was discovered in the workforce, delivering yet another blow to the Apple supply chain.

As the coronavirus continues its global spread, more news of industry closings and event cancellations arrive each day. Sunday morning's closures include an LG Innotek and Samsung Electronics plant responsible for mobile device manufacture.

LG Innotek specifically affects Apple, as it is responsible for supplying the camera module for assorted models of the iPhone 11. The unannounced "iPhone 12" may also rely on LG Innotek, which does not bode well for its early production.

Reuters reports that the factory intends to re-open on Tuesday after the infected employee's floor can be properly disinfected. There are conflicting reports about this in South Korea, however, and AppleInsider is attempting to get clarity from LG on the matter.

The 2019 coronavirus has become a global problem, and we are only just seeing the results of its spread. Apple has backup production facilities in India and Japan, but it is only a matter of time before the backups are affected if the virus continues its spread.

Coronavirus infections vs deaths (data from WHO)

The industry is feeling the effects of the virus as conferences are being cancelled, and stores and buildings being shut down.

Tim Cook is on record saying that the coronavirus is not a long term concern, as he is confident it will be contained. Apple is supplying relief to victims of the virus, and has even started sending care packages to Chinese employees.

14 Comments

sirozha 801 comments · 15 Years

About 4 years ago

Supply chains are funny that way. This is the price of globalization.

chasm 3586 comments · 10 Years

sirozha said:

Supply chains are funny that way. This is the price of globalization.

Your comment makes no sense. Are you under the impression that Apple has only one supplier of iPhone camera modules (you would be mistaken)? Are you saying that diversifying your manufacturing base was a mistake (again, wrong)? Are you implying that this disease is limited to foreign countries (maybe pick up a newspaper -- you're again wrong) or that NOT using global resources would have prevented this problem (uh, nope)?

Gotta love these armchair CEOs who can't even articulate what it is they are trying to say ...

sjworld said:

I’m sure he meant that Apple should have had more than just foreign suppliers for their main product’s components.

Well, a) they do for some things, and b) why are you under the impression that the US is immune from this pandemic?

hentaiboy 1252 comments · 14 Years

Stores in Australia are starting to run out of iPhone 11 stock. Cue the scalpers...

seanismorris 1624 comments · 8 Years

South Korea wouldn’t have been my guess to where the virus would spread, and be having the worst time after China. This just tells you how vulnerable even the most advanced countries are.

I wasn’t that surprised about Iran, they don’t seem to have the medical infrastructure to deal with this. Italy is a small surprise, but they probably have an aging population (who are particularly vulnerable).

People are responding to the President’s words that the virus is a hoax. I see them repeating it all over social media. I hope the people in charge are saying one thing, but preparing like mad behind the scenes...

I haven’t purchased a mask yet, but every time someone says hoax my buy finger gets twitchy.