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Research & Markets: Since the Launch of the First Generation of iPod, Apple Inc. Has Sold More Than 88.7 Million Units Worldwide

Posted on: Wednesday, 14 March 2007, 03:00 CDT

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c51997) has announced the addition of the Global Sources report: China Sourcing Report: iPod Accessories to their offering.

Greater China is the world leading manufacturer of iPod accessories. While this industry provides you with a wide array of choices, it also complicates your sourcing job. Where do you begin sourcing in such a diverse market? How do you differentiate one maker from another?

With the help of this in-depth report, you will be able to:

Identify the most qualified supplier for your urgent needs

Source the products that match your price point

Preview upcoming products before the competition

And much more...

What you'll Get:

Deep profiles of 21 major suppliers with an in-depth look at their manufacturing capabilities, QC processes, pricing strategy and more. Based on factory visits and personal interviews with senior managers, this information is not available anywhere else

Brief profile tables of 7 additional manufacturers you need to meet, highlighting key sourcing information such as factory locations and capacities, export markets, R&D focus and technology partners

A Product Gallery showcasing 81 best-selling export models with top-line specifications, full-color pictures and ordering information

The results of Global Sources' latest supplier survey, forecasting price, product, production and R&D trends for the next 12 months

This report covers docking stations, speakers and earphones, FM transmitters, adapters and cables, chargers and kits, and cases

Topics Covered

INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

INDUSTRY BACKGROUND

MANUFACTURING CAPABILITY

PRODUCTS AND PRICES

OUTLOOK

SUPPLIERS AT A GLANCE

SUPPLIER PROFILES

SUPPLIER TABLES

PRODUCT GALLERY

SUPPLIER INDEX

Summary

Global shipments of iPod accessories are on the upswing, riding high on the steady growth of the iPod user base. Since launching the first generation of iPod in 2001, Apple Inc. has sold more than 88.7 million units worldwide.

The so-called "halo effect" that allows users to select from thousands of accessory models to enhance the iPod experience has attracted brand owners and retailers across the globe to the iPod accessory line. Many resellers have also embraced the accessory business as it generally offers higher margins and encourages up-sell and return purchases.

A big chunk of the global supply of iPod accessories came from manufacturers in Greater China. Makers cover the full iPod accessory spectrum, from high-end docking stations and entertainment systems to entry-level cases and protective film made by dry goods suppliers.

The 28 manufacturers featured in this report were selected to showcase the diverse range of iPod accessories available from the Greater China supplier base. These makers -- 18 from mainland China, six from Taiwan and four from Hong Kong -- comprised seasoned electronics manufacturers as well as new companies established to focus on iPod accessories.

Based on the manufacturing, product development and export statistics provided by the surveyed suppliers, the author presents the following findings:

Many makers have pre-existing design teams and production lines that need only slight modification to produce iPod-compatible products.

Portable speakers, docking stations, FM transmitters and cases are the top iPod accessories from makers across the Greater China region, due to the pre-existing supply chain of related products.

Product development across Greater China covers the entire spectrum of applications. For wireless accessory R&D, Taiwan makers have the advantage of proximity to chipset developers and suppliers.

While the majority of the suppliers are utilizing more than 50 percent of production capacity, their available capacities are sufficient to meet the expected growth in demand.

Prices of iPod accessories from mainland China are expected to fall by an average of 5 percent, mainly due to increasing supply, intense competition and proliferation of new models in the market.

R&D is the only key process conducted by all profiled makers. Subassemblies and QA/QC are done by most suppliers.

Using the Made for iPod (MFI) logo in products entails a royalty fee of US$4 per unit sold. Hence some OEM focused manufacturers prefer their clients to facilitate and pay for rights to use the MFI logo.

To create this report, the research teams toured the factories of 21 makers and discussed with top-level executives about manufacturing, sales and export plans. The report has an in-depth profile of each of these makers, as well as detailed profile tables of another seven suppliers.

All suppliers were asked to participate in a survey designed to provide insights into product and price trends, and major issues facing the industry in the next 12 months.

Companies Mentioned

- Atech Flash Technology Inc - A-Zone International Co Ltd - Best Talent Industrial Ltd - City Electronics Ltd - Friendtech Computer Co Ltd - H&Y Industrial Ltd - Huiyao Electronic Fty - Ideastyle Development International Corp - Jame Technology Co Ltd - Jimbo Digitech Co Ltd - Long-Long Digital Technology Co Ltd - Miostar Corp - Nicetex Electronics Ltd - RPS Industries Co Ltd - Shenzhen Junlicheng Electronics Co Ltd - Shenzhen Keentop Electronics Co Ltd - Shenzhen Koonhome Technology Co Ltd - Shenzhen Siwtel Electronic Co Ltd - Titan Computer Co Ltd - Vsong Electronics Co Ltd - Zhongshan K-Mate General Electronics Co Ltd - Aspeed Technology Co Ltd - Henca (HK) Ltd - Hong Kong Wexun Electronic Co Ltd - King Chuang Tech & Electronic Co Ltd - Newlift Technologies Ltd - Winkeen Technology Co Ltd - Zhongshan Polle Electronics Co Ltd

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c51997

Source: Business Wire

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