Speculation grew today that Apple Inc. could resume computer assembly at its Elk Grove facility, after Chief Executive Tim Cook said he wants to bring some production back to the United States.
Cook, in an interview published today by Businessweek magazine, said some Macintosh production is coming back to America. "It will happen in 2013," he said.
The interview came several days after the website TechCrunch reoprted that some Mac production has already returned to the United States. TechCrunch speculated that the assembly could be taking place in Elk Grove, which was Apple's last U.S. factory.
The Elk Grove facility employs as many as 1,800 workers, mostly in customer support, marketing and distribution functions. Apple ended manufacturing operations in Elk Grove in 2004.
Randy Starbuck, Elk Grove's economic development director, said he has contacted Apple officials in recent days about the possible resumption of manufacturing, but hasn't heard anything back yet.
"It'd be great to have some manufacturing there," he said.
While Apple tends to be secretive, he said he's been told that the Elk Grove facility had "a bump" in hiring around the time the iPhone 5 was introduced earlier this fall.
Apple didn't respond to requests for comment today.
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