Apple Supply Chain Practices.

Apple’s supply chain practices include a number of specific initiatives and protocols that supply chain professionals should be aware of:

1. Supplier Code of Conduct: Apple has a comprehensive Supplier Code of Conduct that sets standards for labor and human rights, health and safety, and environmental protection. The code covers issues such as working hours, overtime pay, and discrimination.
2. Auditing: Apple conducts regular audits of its suppliers to ensure compliance with the company’s Supplier Code of Conduct. The company also works with third-party auditing firms to conduct unannounced audits of supplier facilities.
3. Environmental initiatives: Apple has implemented a number of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, such as using renewable energy, implementing recycling programs, and designing products with improved environmental performance.
4. Innovation and efficiency: Apple focuses on building strong partnerships with its suppliers to drive innovation and cost efficiency. The company works closely with its suppliers to develop new technologies, improve manufacturing processes, and reduce costs.
5. Logistics and transportation: Apple has a sophisticated logistics and transportation system in place to manage the flow of goods and materials to and from its suppliers. The company uses a variety of transportation modes, including air, sea, and ground, to optimize delivery times and costs.
6. Supply Chain Risk Management: Apple’s approach to supply chain risk management is to work closely with suppliers to understand and mitigate risks. This includes identifying potential vulnerabilities in the supply chain, such as natural disasters or political instability, and developing contingency plans to minimize disruptions to the business.
7. Transparency: Apple has a strong emphasis on transparency in its supply chain practices. The company publishes an annual supplier responsibility progress report that provides details about its auditing and monitoring activities, as well as its efforts to improve working conditions and environmental performance in its supply chain.

• “Our whole role in life is to give you something you didn’t know you wanted. And then once you get it, you can’t imagine your life without it. And you can count on Apple doing that.” ~ Tim Cook, Steve Jobs brought in Time Cook to improve the Apple Supply Chain.
• “Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes… The ones who see things differently — they’re not fond of rules… You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things… They push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” ~ Steve Jobs, co-founder Apple Inc.
• “In many cases, jobs that used to be done by people are going to be able to be done through automation. I don’t have an answer to that. That’s one of the more perplexing problems of society.” ~ John Sculley, former CEO of Apple Computer.
• “Computers are magnificent tools for the realization of our dreams, but no machine can replace the human spark of spirit, compassion, love, and understanding.”  ~ Louis Gerstner, former CEO of IBM.