Apple Backtracking From Plans to Diversify iPad Manufacturing Partnerships?

Earlier this week, DigiTimes reported that Apple was looking at diversifying its production for the iPad by bringing on a second manufacturer in Pegatron or Quanta to join Apple's longtime iOS device partner Foxconn. According to the report, Apple has been interested in moving to a multiple-partner arrangement in order to minimize risk of disruptions such as those caused by an explosion at a Foxconn plant earlier this year that temporarily shut down all of that company's polishing lines.

But as shared in a new report from DigiTimes today, Foxconn has apparently persuaded Apple not to bring on a second manufacturer, taking steps to secure itself as the sole production partner for the next round of iPad manufacturing.

Apple has reportedly been trying to add a second manufacturer for iPad 3 in addition to Foxconn, with Pegatron indicated to be the potential contender, the sources noted.

However, Foxconn has exerted its efforts to protect its orders and apparently has persuaded Apple to not shift some of its iPad orders to other contractors for the moment, the sources added.

For its part, Pegatron is reportedly gearing up to compete for production of the fourth-generation iPad down the road, as well as for Mac production. Pegatron already manufactures the CDMA iPhone 4 for Apple and has been said to be lined up for the next-generation iPhone as well.