Nikkei Asian Review: Distributor Interrupted – 35

Nikkei Asian Review: Distributor Interrupted – 35

Terry Gou, founder and chairman of  Hon Hai Precision Industry , seemed caught off guard and unprepared to talk outside his hotel in Osaka in early June when approached by a Nikkei Asian Review reporter.

But Gou soon loosened up, taking the opportunity over a 30-minute stroll to elaborate on the ambition of his company, better known as Foxconn Technology Group, to acquire the memory-chip unit of embattled Japanese industrial conglomerate Toshiba.

“Apple and Amazon will be injecting funds into the deal,” he said.

The episode highlights how Gou’s ability to think on his feet and make snap decisions in response to an ever-changing business environment has made Foxconn what it is today. It also points to his deep ties with Apple, which treats the company as a near equal despite Foxconn’s role as a contract assembler for the American consumer electronics trendsetter.