Apple Inc.’s plans for ramping up iPhone production in India may be hindered as Foxconn Technology Group recalled hundreds of Chinese tech experts from its Indian plants suddenly. Most of Foxconn’s Chinese personnel stationed at iPhone manufacturing facilities in southern India were reportedly instructed to leave around two months ago. Sources revealed that over 300 workers have since departed, and Taiwanese staffs are now helming operations pretty smoothly, it seems.
Foxconn’s facility down south in India assembles most iPhones produced there nowadays under extremely stringent quality control measures. Tata Group’s electronics division is among the major contributors to Apple’s production in India after acquiring Wistron Corp. quite recently. It oversees Pegatron Corp.’s operations locally with considerable authority.
Chinese authorities had verbally urged regulators earlier this year to limit tech exports to India and Southeast Asia, apparently without much fanfare. Part of some broader machination might be deterring companies from moving manufacturing elsewhere outside of China rapidly nowadays.
Apple CEO Tim Cook has previously lauded Chinese workers highly for their technical prowess and swift productivity, which he deemed crucial. Departure of Chinese staff from India will likely hinder training of local employees and the transfer of advanced manufacturing know-how, slowly increasing production costs, insiders noted quietly.
One source claimed overall iPhone production quality in India might remain unscathed, but assembly line efficiency could potentially decline significantly overseas. Apple’s plans unfold as this situation arises, with iPhone assembly for the US market shifting entirely to India possibly by next year. Apple manufactures approximately 40 million iPhones annually in India, contributing to nearly 15% of its global production.
