Apple Inc. (AAPL) is gearing up to launch its fourth iPhone assembly unit in India, further solidifying its commitment to the country’s growing manufacturing sector. The new plant, established by Tata Electronics, will be located in Hosur, Tamil Nadu, and is expected to commence operations in November. This marks a significant expansion for Apple in India, with the new facility poised to become the largest of its kind in the country.
The Hosur plant will be Tata’s second iPhone assembly unit in India. Their first foray into iPhone manufacturing began with the acquisition of Taiwan-based Wistron’s unit in Karnataka. The new facility, spread across 250 acres, will utilize components sourced from a dedicated Tata unit established three years ago. Tata Electronics is reportedly investing ₹6,000 crore in the new plant, an investment mirroring the amount allocated to the components unit.
The plant is expected to create over 50,000 jobs, with women making up the majority of the workforce. The assembly unit alone is projected to generate between 35,000 and 40,000 jobs. This expansion highlights Apple’s commitment to job creation and economic development in India.
Apple’s other iPhone contract manufacturers in India include Pegatron and Foxconn. However, Tata plays a pivotal role in Apple’s strategic plan for India, which is predicted to account for 20%-25% of total iPhone shipments this year. This represents a substantial increase from the 12%-14% share recorded last year.
Apple’s journey into Indian production began just four years ago. Since then, the company has rapidly expanded its operations in the country. The fourth factory will play a crucial role in helping Apple achieve its target of shifting 10% of its global iPhone manufacturing capacity to India by 2025-26. This ambitious goal is driven by the government’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, which aims to incentivize and promote domestic manufacturing.
