Developing high-tech machinery to make iPhone casings

New Delhi: Tata Electronics is internally developing a highly complex and advanced high-precision machinery specifically designed for the production of Apple iPhone casings, an Economic Times (ET) report said. Citing sources, the report said the company has partnered with two Indian manufacturers to enhance its capabilities and eventually intends to export these sophisticated machines. The ET report further adds that earlier, Tata was dependent on imports from China for such equipment.

The equipment is versatile, suitable for integration into the production lines of contract manufacturers serving global corporations such as Apple. This initiative goes beyond promoting local production; It also paves the way for future exports in line with India’s ambitious target of achieving the $300 billion electronics export milestone by 2025, the report said.

The Tata Group is systematically testing these machines at its Hosur facility in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu, a person familiar with the matter told ET. It aims to elevate local capabilities beyond mere attachment assembly to nurture a holistic manufacturing ecosystem within the country.

The Tata Group is testing these machines in a phased manner at its Hosur facility. Part of the objective is to further enhance its local capacity as the company does not want to just build enclosures, it wants to develop the ecosystem in the country. These machines are among the many inputs that go into making a component or an enclosure, which the company is looking to reduce its exclusive dependence on certain parts,” the ET report said citing sources.

To recall, a Mint report in February had said that Tata Group was in the final stages of talks to set up a joint venture with Taiwan’s Pegatron to set up its second iPhone manufacturing facility in Hosur city of Tamil Nadu. The collaboration was expected to accelerate Tata’s iPhone manufacturing efforts while facilitating Apple’s expansion in India. According to a Reuters report, the Taiwanese company was ready to provide technical and engineering support at the Hosur facility.

Stay connected to Janata Se Rishta for news updates.