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Apple Boosts Battery Production in India
December 6, 2023
Apple is steering away from its dependency on China, with recent reports indicating that the tech company has urged its battery manufacturers to ramp up production in India. This strategic move comes just in time for the production of the upcoming iPhone 16.
India: A New Home for iPhone Batteries
While Apple’s initial endeavors to augment overall production in India have faced challenges, the leading tech company continues to drive its strategy, aiming to lessen an over-reliance on China. The Financial Times reported that the company’s plans now involve motivating battery suppliers to set up production facilities in India.
Quoting three anonymous sources privy to the matter, the report discloses that multiple companies, including China’s Desay, have been specifically nudged to open new factories in India. Simultaneously, Simplo Technology, a prominent Taiwanese supplier, has been asked to escalate its production capacity within its existing operations in India.
Japanese TDK To Set Up Factory in India
News is surfacing in parallel from Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the Indian Minister of State for Electronics and IT, stating that Japanese TDK, a key battery supplier for Apple, is planning to construct a brand-new factory in the country. Set to span 180 acres, the new facility will be located in Manesar, a notable city in Haryana, southern India.
The purpose of this factory is clear — it will focus on producing battery cells for iPhones manufactured in India. According to Chandrasekhar, this initiative aligns perfectly with the government’s objective of solidifying India’s position as a major hub for electronics manufacturing.
Apple’s strategy to shift its reliance from China toward countries like India is not solely due to a desire to diversify its supply chain. Ongoing trade tensions between the United States and China have also played a critical role in shaping this move.
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