Apple has finalized plans to invest over $250 million to expand its regional office and operations in Ang Mo Kio, Singapore, according to a new press release by the Cupertino company (via Reuters).
In its press release, Apple states that the planned expansion represents the “latest milestone” in the company’s Singapore campus, which first opened in 1981 with just 72 employees. Today, the campus has over 3,600 employees working as part of different groups within Apple including hardware, software, services, and support. Apple says its $250 million expansion plan will focus on roles within its AI operations alongside other important sectors.
Singapore is truly a one-of-a-kind place, and we are proud of the connection we’ve built with this dynamic community of creators, learners, and dreamers. With our growing campus, Apple is writing a new chapter in our history here. Our Singapore teams have played an important role in enriching the lives of our customers — and we can’t wait for many more decades of innovation to come.
Apple CEO Tim Cook
Apple confirms that construction on the planned expansion will commence later this year in the Ang Mo Kio district. The expansion will see two buildings acquired in 2022 and adjacent to the current campus building undergo major reworks. Once completed, Apple’s offices in Singapore will fit over three buildings and be powered by 100 percent renewable energy.
In the same vein, Bloomberg has learned that Apple CEO Tim Cook plans to visit Singapore and hold meetings with the country’s upcoming Prime Minister Lawrence Wong alongside his predecessor and current leader Lee Hsien Loong. Cook’s Singapore visit will span Thursday and Friday, marking his final stop as part of an extensive Southeast Asian tour that saw similar visits to Indonesia and Vietnam.
Cook’s tour is part of Apple’s quest to find new avenues of growth amid falling iPhone demand in China. Apple is also looking to bolster its manufacturing presence outside China amid a faltering political relationship with the United States, which could quickly affect Apple’s ability to manufacture and export products worldwide. Apple is already making notable gains with its manufacturing expansion as more iPhone units than ever before are now being assembled in India.
Cook also hinted that Apple is open to having a manufacturing presence for the first time in Indonesia, hoping to take advantage of the country’s rapid industrialization. Apple is also deepening its supply chain presence in Vietnam as it now produces more products including iPad, Apple Watch, and AirPods models. Vietnamese manufacturing could also expand soon to select MacBook models.
