Apple may begin manufacturing iPads in India. According to a report by Moneycontrol, the Cupertino-based company may soon start looking for a manufacturing partner for the same.
When Apple did not get government approval in 2021
To recall, Apple’s 2021 move to begin iPad production in India with China’s BYD hit a roadblock due to a lack of government approval as the vendor is a wholly owned Chinese firm.
The report quotes a senior government official who said “BYD was almost ready to set up the factory for iPad in India but clearance was a problem and the situation has changed significantly now. We are now trying to help (Apple) expand further to grow for the next two to three years. There will be substantial growth.”
The official told the publication that the government also wants Apple to look into making laptops and desktops in India in the coming year. Apple has shared ‘big plans’ for India for the next 2-3 years with the government, it said.
“They want to build an alternate supply chain in India and with that more partners will come to India while existing ones will further deepen their capabilities.”
Apple AirPods manufacturing in India may begin next year
The report says that Apple may kick off production of AirPods in India starting early next year. The company has significantly ramped up its manufacturing capabilities for iPhones in the country. Apple is also making efforts to increase the production of components for AirPod wireless charging cases through American contract manufacturing company Jabil in India. These components are being exported to China and Vietnam.
Apple reportedly has a plan to kick off production of TWS (true wireless stereo), AirPods, in India starting early next year. The company has started trial production of parts of wireless charging cases with Jabil in Pune. It may do the same with Foxconn, the report states.
“Once Apple approves it after quality testing, Jabil will ramp up commercial production of wireless charging case parts for AirPods. The ramp-up will also not just serve export requirements but will also address domestic demand once Apple finalizes plans to start AirPod production in India,” the report quotes an unidentified person familiar with the matter.
Apple already manufactures iPhones in India
Apple has been assembling iPhones in India since 2017. The company has three contract manufacturers in India – Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron (purchased by Tata). Apple aims to manufacture around 25% of its total iPhones in India in the next 3-4 years.
The article originally appeared on The Times of India.