Why are HP, ASUS, and Acer moving PC production back to China from places like Thailand and Vietnam? Meanwhile, Dell is also evaluating similar adjustments.
Over the past few years, global PC manufacturers had been shifting some of their production capacity out of China and into Southeast Asia. Now, they are moving it back. According to a *Financial Times* report on October 29, HP, ASUS, and Acer are relocating a portion of their PC manufacturing from Thailand and Vietnam back to China, with Dell also considering a similar shift.
The AI boom has driven up the prices of memory and storage components, leading to higher costs for PC manufacturers. In an effort to keep the total cost of their finished products down, these companies have begun re-evaluating their production locations in search of greater efficiency—and after coming full circle, China remains the best choice.
Industry insiders note that China boasts a highly experienced workforce and a comprehensive supply chain ecosystem. By manufacturing PCs in China, companies gain easier access to a wide range of components, which in turn boosts overall manufacturing efficiency.
In recent years, many global tech firms pursued a "China+1" strategy—shifting some production to Southeast Asian nations like Vietnam and Thailand—to mitigate supply chain risks. However, this latest shift underscores a key reality: while supply chains can be relocated, a mature, sophisticated manufacturing ecosystem is not so easily replicated.
As component costs continue to rise, companies are once again scrutinizing their expenses—a process that has brought China’s distinct global advantages—superior production efficiency, an experienced workforce, and a complete supply chain—back into sharp focus. Consequently, those who argue that China has lost its "demographic dividend" or that its supply chain carries "high risks" demonstrate a rather superficial understanding of China’s manufacturing sector.
HP and Asus shift some PC making back to China due to AI-driven cost hikes via
@NikkeiAsia