In a year of lukewarm consumerism in Taiwan, the launch of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S was a blessing for at least half a dozen of the nation’s tech entrepreneurs, all of whom have significant ties to Apple. Record iPhone sales–10 million during the first weekend alone–helped boost suppliers’ profits.

Terry Gou’s Hon Hai, better known as Foxconn, is the world’s largest electronics manufacturer–and earns about half its revenues from Apple products. After a difficult stretch, 2014 was another banner year for the company, with net profits climbing 22%. With shares up 15%, Gou added $650 million to his wealth. The company was once accused of unhealthy employment conditions leading to employee suicides (it denied the accusations but instituted safety measures). It is now considering a shift to automation.

Allen Horng’s Catcher Technology , which provides die-casting products for iPhones and iPads, in September launched an investigation after facing its own allegations of poor labor conditions. But again, no matter: Shares of this Apple supplier climbed 25%, adding $500 million to Horng’s fortune, thanks to an 85% increase in net profits.

Four more entrepreneurs behind two other Apple suppliers had similar bumps to net profits that in turn meant bigger fortunes. This includes brothers Jason andRichard Chang, whose Advanced Semiconductor Engineering is the force behind Bluetooth chips, WiFi and fingerprint modules used for a variety of products, including the iPhone 6 and the iWatch.

The biggest gainers in terms of percentage terms were Scott Lin and Tony Chen. Net profits at their Largan Precision, which supplies Apple with lenses for iPhones and iPads, shot up 102% in 2014. Company shares rose 60% in the past 12 months, adding $720 million to Lin’s net worth and $550 million to Chen’s, both of whom jumped 15 spots above their ranks of last year.

(Credit: Web)