Apple’s ability to make or break its component suppliers is well known. The break-up of Imagination Technologies, when Apple decided to go inhouse for its graphical processor cores, was a high profile example, as was the iPhone maker’s recent acquisition of the biggest part of Dialog Semiconductors, its supplier of power management chips. However, it is not just specialist component makers which are vulnerable to Apple’s decisions, and to any slowdown in sales of the mighty iPhone. Giant contract manufacturer Hon Hai Precision (Foxconn) has been busily diversifying its business to reduce its reliance on handset manufacturing in general and the iPhone deal in particular. But the process is slow, and the Taiwanese firm says it will be forced to…