Apple chooses Wistron to ‘make in India’ - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Apple chooses Wistron to ‘make in India’

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
Dec 30, 2016 07:14 PM IST

In what can only be reminiscent of Apple’s move to diversify its supply chain from Foxconn in 2013 and divide it with USA-based Pegatron Corporation, the iPhone-maker has chosen Taiwanese contract manufacturer Wistron to start assembling iPhones in India.

In what can only be reminiscent of Apple’s move to diversify its supply chain from Foxconn in 2013 and divide it with USA-based Pegatron Corporation, the iPhone-maker has chosen Taiwanese contract manufacturer Wistron to start assembling iPhones in India.

In what can only be reminiscent of Apple’s move to diversify its supply chain from Foxconn in 2013 and divide it with USA-based Pegatron Corporation, the iPhone-maker has chosen Taiwanese contract manufacturer Wistron to start assembling iPhones in India.(AP)
In what can only be reminiscent of Apple’s move to diversify its supply chain from Foxconn in 2013 and divide it with USA-based Pegatron Corporation, the iPhone-maker has chosen Taiwanese contract manufacturer Wistron to start assembling iPhones in India.(AP)

According to reports and industry sources, Apple is in talks with Wistron to assemble iPhones in a new plant that is being setup in the industrial area of Peenya in Bengaluru and this might just mean that iPhones could get a little cheaper for Indians.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“Apple is in talks with Wistron to start assembly in Peenya. The company is expected to start assembly first and then scale up slowly to complete knock down manufacturing as the demand arises,” an industry source in the know of things, told HT.

However, he also said that assembly might not start in April next year but is more likely to start during the last quarter of 2017.

But what is interesting is Apple may have ditched Foxconn in India — which is its largest contract manufacturer in the world. Earlier, when Foxconn moved to India, it was believed that it would make Apple products in its upcoming facility in Maharashtra as it does in China in its Hon Hai Precision unit.

Interestingly, industry sources claim that the move to start local assembly might be directed more at attaining an exemption on the local sourcing norms and other financial incentives that Apple has been after. “Western might have been a option as the Karnataka state government might end up giving certain sops which helps Apple in some way,” an industry expert said. The iphone-maker has also sought several tax and duty incentives from the Indian government to set up shop here.

Interestingly, the government will take a final call on Apple’s demands next month.

Apple and Foxconn declined to comment.

However, the alliance with Wistron marks Apple second major investment in Bengaluru. In May, Apple announced a design and development accelerator in the city to grow the iOS developer community and also to guide Indian developers to leverage Apple’s programming language Swift and build apps for Apple TV and Apple Watch.The facility will open early next year.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away!- Login Now!
Stay informed on Business News along with Gold Rates Today, India News and other related updates on Hindustan Times Website and APPs
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Anirban Ghoshal was part of Hindustan Times’ nationwide network of correspondents that brings news, analysis and information to its readers. He no longer works with the Hindustan Times.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On