Foxconn (or Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. if you’re not into the whole brevity thing) is the world’s largest electronics manufacturer, and one of the more controversial companies around because of allegations of poor labor practices. It has facilities in Asia, South America, Europe, and Mexico. And according to one news item, Foxconn is considering plants in the U.S.

The report comes from Taiwan-based electronics site DigiTimes, which cites “market watchers” as saying that Foxconn is looking at Detroit and Los Angeles as possible places to put its first U.S. facility.

The sources tell DigiTimes that Foxconn, which manufacturers electronics for just about every major tech brand — most notably Apple’s iPhone and iPad devices — would likely make LCD screens at any new U.S. plant, as that product’s assembly is highly automated and doesn’t require the massive amounts of less-expensive labor required for other items.

Foxconn has come under increased scrutiny in recent years, following the suicides of several employees and complaints from workers about long hours. A plant in China had to temporarily shut down in September after a brawl involving upwards of 2,000 employees broke out in the factory’s dorm.

“People would rather work at a hotel or other places,” one Foxconn employee said at the time. “It’s not a lack of workers in these areas — it’s a problem of spiritual emptiness.”

(via CNET)

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