Foxconn takes control of Sharp

Taiwan’s Hon Hai Precision Industries – better known as Apple supplier Foxconn – is to take over struggling Japanese electronics company Sharp. The ¥389 billion ($3.5bn) deal will give it a 66% stake in Sharp

Revenue (US$ billions)

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140

2009: Sharp makes massive investment and opens world’s most advanced LCD plant in Sakai 2008-09 $48.80 $29.35

09-10 $29.95 $79.43

10-11 $36.47 $95.22 

11-12 $29.85 $110.54

12-13 2012: 40% of Foxconn’s revenue comes from Apple. Sharp seeks
bank bailout $26.29 $123.16

13-14 2013: Number of workers Foxconn employs in China hits 1 million. Zhengzhou factory produces 500,000 iPhones per day $28.41 $131.26

2015: Sharp faces operating loss of $1.5bn. Seeks second major
bank-led rescue14-15 $23.29 $130 (est.)

Sources: Statista, Hoovers, annual reports