TAIPEI, Taiwan － Regarding a Wall Street Journal report that the Hon Hai/Foxconn Technology Group will downsize its staff, Hon Hai on Tuesday clarified saying, “the news is completely inaccurate and entirely groundless.” Hon Hai emphasized that it will continue to recruit staff from all around the world and maintain its operations and business while also continuing to maintain its global workforce of over one million employees.
Hon Hai pointed out that in operations related to production and manufacturing, it is constantly investing in automation technology and using robot applications and other innovative manufacturing technologies. This enables employees to concentrate on areas of high value added technology.
Hon Hai also emphasized that although the group is continually expanding its machine automated applications, which may cause a reduction in the employee recruitment rate in a few years, currently there is no plan to reduce the workforce.
Currently, Hon Hai is actively developing automatic and robot technology, including investing in industrial computer company Ennoconn and serving as an OEM for Softbank’s human shaped robot, “Pepper.”
Hon Hai Chairman Terry Guo previously stated that the scope of development for robots is expanding, and they are not only for industrial use, but can also be used in domains, such as commerce, medical treatment, and elderly care.
(TR:Phil Sweeney)
