Tata Electronics is set to take over Wistron's iPhone manufacturing plant in Karnataka, India, as Apple increases its focus on local manufacturing in the country. This move will bolster the Indian government's 'Make in India' initiative, especially since iPhone exports from India crossed $5 billion in FY23. Wistron's Karnataka factory, which employs around 12,000 people, constitutes a significant portion of its business in India.
According to a report in, Wistron is likely to approach the National Company Law Tribunal and the Registrar of Companies to dissolve its India operations within the next year. Meanwhile, Tata Electronics has been stepping up its business with Apple, and the acquisition of Wistron's factory will only enhance its relationship with the tech giant.
The emergence of homegrown majors, such as Tata Electronics, is expected to give further momentum to the 'Make in India' initiative, according to Prabhu Ram, Head of Industry Intelligence Group, CMR. With the possibility of concurrent production of the Apple iPhone 15 and beyond, these initial steps will undoubtedly strengthen India's position in the global electronics value chains and bolster its semiconductor ecosystem.
In FY23, Apple shipped more than 7 million iPhones and half a million iPads in India, registering a 28% growth for iPhone shipments, according to initial estimates provided by market intelligence firm CMR. With Apple doubling down on domestic manufacturing in India, the tech giant is expected to capture 6% market share in FY23-34, selling more than 8 million iPhones in the country during this period.
Wistron is reportedly waiting for some subsidy payments under the smartphone production-linked (PLI) scheme before winding down its India operations. However, with the acquisition of Wistron's factory, Tata Group is optimistic about India becoming an electronics manufacturing hub.
Conclusion:
Tata Electronics' acquisition of Wistron's iPhone assembly plant in Karnataka, India, and its plans to manufacture new Apple products will boost the government's local manufacturing initiative. The move will give a boost to Apple's domestic manufacturing efforts in India, where iPhone exports have surged to cross $5 billion in FY23. With the possibility of concurrent production of the iPhone 15 and beyond, India's semiconductor ecosystem is set to benefit, and India could become an electronics manufacturing hub.
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