Foxconn Technology Group, the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer by shipments and revenue, suspended production at one of its largest factories in China yesterday following a riot by 2,000 workers.

The incident is the latest case of labour unrest at Apple’s main supplier despite efforts by Foxconn in 2010 to revamp the way it manages its 1m-strong workforce in China.

The company said a personal dispute between several employees at its factory in the northern city of Taiyuan escalated into an incident involving some 2,000 workers at about 11pm on Sunday night. “The dispute was brought under control by local police at approximately 3am this morning,” the company said. “According to police, some 40 individuals were taken to the hospital for medical attention and a number of individuals were arrested.”