Tata Electronics iPhone production soars by 180% in 2024

Despite the remarkable growth, Tata Electronics encountered a major setback in September 2024, when a large fire broke out at its manufacturing facility near Hosur in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district

Tata Electronics has significantly boosted its iPhone production in India, now accounting for approximately 26% of the iPhones made in the country in 2024, as per reports. This development comes as part of the company’s expansion efforts, following its acquisition of Wistron’s iPhone manufacturing facility in Narsapura, Karnataka, for $125 million in October 2023.

Growth in production and exports

The Narsapura plant, which was previously operated by Wistron, has seen a remarkable increase in its iPhone manufacturing capacity. In 2024, the annual output at the facility exceeded Rs 40,000 crore, marking a 180% production increase compared to the previous year. This surge in iPhone production is in response to Apple’s growing demand for iPhones both within India and for international markets. The boost in Tata iPhone production growth reflects the company’s strengthened position in the global iPhone assembly in India supply chain.

Exports from the Narsapura plant also surged, rising by 125% to reach Rs 31,000 crore in 2024. Tata Electronics further expanded its workforce, increasing its employee count by 63%, from 19,000 in 2023 to 31,000 in 2024, to meet the growing demands of iPhone manufacturing in India. The increased workforce is crucial to supporting the rapid growth of iPhone assembly in India.

Setback and comeback

Despite the impressive growth, Tata Electronics faced a significant challenge in September 2024, when a major fire broke out at its manufacturing unit near Hosur in Tamil Nadu’s Krishnagiri district. The blaze caused considerable damage to the facility and halted production for several days. Firefighters worked for days to bring the fire under control, and the facility experienced extensive losses. However, Tata Electronics has since recovered, ramping up manufacturing and resuming production at full capacity.

Looking to the future, the Tata and Apple partnership is set to continue its strong growth trajectory. Tata Electronics is well-positioned to increase its share of global iPhone production as Apple diversifies its manufacturing footprint outside of China. The ongoing expansion of iPhone assembly in India reflects the growing importance of India as a manufacturing hub for Apple’s global supply chain.