Foxconn’s Bengaluru iPhone plant hires 30,000 in record scale-up

Foxconn’s new iPhone assembly facility in Devanahalli, Bengaluru, reaches a historic employment milestone with 30,000 workers, mostly women, highlighting India’s growing role in Apple’s global manufacturing and export strategy.

Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn has recruited nearly 30,000 employees at its new iPhone assembly plant in Devanahalli, near Bengaluru, within just eight to nine months. According to reports, this is the fastest factory scale-up in India’s history. The 300-acre campus is predominantly operated by women, who constitute approximately 80% of the workforce. Most new hires are aged between 19 and 24, entering the workforce for the first time.

Trial production at the facility began in April–May this year with iPhone 16 models, and the plant now assembles the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Over 80% of the output is earmarked for export, reinforcing Apple’s strategy to diversify production beyond China. At peak capacity, the factory is expected to employ up to 50,000 people, surpassing Foxconn’s existing facility in Tamil Nadu.

Comprehensive infrastructure and workforce support

The Devanahalli campus is designed as a self-contained township with housing, healthcare, schooling, and recreational facilities. Several large dormitories are already operational for women employees, with construction ongoing for additional facilities. Workers receive free accommodation, subsidized meals, and earn an average monthly salary of around Rs 18,000, among the highest for women in blue-collar roles in India.

Foxconn is investing approximately Rs 20,000 crore in the venture, which will include nearly a dozen iPhone assembly lines once fully operational. Apple and its supplier network of around 45 local companies are closely involved in workforce training, providing six weeks of on-the-job training for new employees before they join the production lines.

India’s growing role in global supply chain

The rapid expansion highlights India’s increasing significance in Apple’s global supply chain amid geopolitical shifts. Government officials describe the project as a key success of India’s push to enhance manufacturing’s contribution to GDP, showcasing strong collaboration between the government and private sector. The Bengaluru facility is expected to become India’s largest iPhone manufacturing hub by both employment and production capacity.