Jabil, a key supplier for Apple, is set to bolster its presence in India with plans to invest between $250 million and $275 million (approximately ₹2,102 crore to ₹2,312 crore) to establish a minimum of two additional manufacturing units over the next three to four years. This expansion aligns with Jabil’s strategy to grow its operations in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets for iPhones.
Currently, Jabil operates two facilities in Pune, where it produces components such as WiFi, NFC (near field communication), RFID (radio frequency identification), camera optics, and various power electronics. A senior official from the Tamil Nadu government revealed plans for a new facility in Tamil Nadu, reflecting the rising demand for consumer electronics, home appliances, and e-mobility products.
Jabil’s existing units are situated in the Ranjangaon Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation Zone, focusing on manufacturing plastic casings for Apple’s AirPods. Future plans may include producing plastic casings for chargers, older iPhone models, AirPods, and potentially components for Apple Watches and Macs, combining both assembly and manufacturing processes, according to another government official.
Despite attempts, Jabil and Apple did not respond to inquiries from ET. Jabil made its entry into India in 2023, initially focusing on the production of plastic casings for Apple AirPods at its Pune site. In September, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with the Tamil Nadu government to develop an electronics manufacturing facility in Tiruchirappalli, with an investment commitment of ₹2,000 crore.
In recent years, numerous suppliers from Apple’s global ecosystem have established manufacturing and assembly operations in India. New entrants like Tata Electronics have also emerged, building facilities to assemble and manufacture components for Apple.
Currently, 13 suppliers, including Zhen Ding Technology, TDK Corporation, Tata Electronics, Sunwoda Electronic Company, Shenzhen YUTO Packaging Technology, Jabil, and Foxconn, have set up manufacturing and assembly plants across states such as Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
To mitigate its reliance on China, Apple is actively seeking new suppliers in India, Japan, and South Korea.