Rumor: Apple poaching Samsung’s battery experts
Apple Inc. is apparently poaching Samsung Electronics Co.’s experts in next-generation technology including those specializing in signal- and visual processing management.
Anonymous officials in the employ of the South Korean tech giant spoke to The Korea Times and also claim that Apple’s recruiters are targeting Samsung employees with expertise in battery technology.
“Some of our personnel have been hired by Apple. They now work at Apple’s headquarters in San Jose, Calif.,” said one official, adding that Apple offers highly competitive benefits and large annual paychecks.
“Those former Samsung workers are given greater independence to proceed with their tasks. Apple prefers to use Samsung’s chip experts because they are very diligent, mission-oriented and are prepared to acquire new knowledge,” said another official.
The claim comes on the heels of a lawsuit filed last week against Apple by A123 Systems, a lithium-ion battery maker for electric vehicles, for poaching key engineers to build its own large-scale battery division.
Multiple rumors have surfaced in the last week suggesting that Apple is working on its own electric car and that the company has amassed a team of hundreds working on the project. According the The Korean Times, Apple’s appetite for hiring Samsung employees has expanded into the battery space since the company is a latecomer to the market and, as a result, has fewer patents for electric vehicles.
“As the electric vehicle business is a new one, Apple needs patents and experts in battery technology,” said the official.
Samsung seems a likely target for the acquisition of battery experts as it already supplies BMW and other carmakers with battery technology.
It seems unlikely that this will sully relations between Apple and Samsung. “Top human resources firms have been approaching Samsung’s battery experts, individually, and I think such human exchange moves are a win-win for both,” said the official.
The officials said that Samsung and Apple will continue to work together on “futuristic business projects” as the two companies need each other.
It remains to be seen whether Apple is simply working on improving existing products, such as its infotainment system for cars, CarPaly, and its mobile battery technology or if the company indeed plans to produce an electric car by 2020 as other rumors suggest.
photo credit: R1073244 via photopin (license)
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