Last month, it was reported that Apple’s main supplier Foxconn will begin production of the iPhone 13 at its Chennai plant in India after a three-month delay. A new report today confirmed that Foxconn has begun producing the iPhone in India, helping Apple diversify its product supply chain outside of China.
Apple continues to diversify its product supply chain with Foxconn producing iPhone 13 in India
Several Apple products are not assembled in India. Last year, the company began to produce the iPhone 12 in India and Apple also plans to begin iPad production in the region, according to Reuters.
Countries such as India, Mexico, and Vietnam are becoming increasingly important to companies like Apple who are trying to diversity production away from China. Specifically in India, Apple has been able to enjoy government schemes intended to expand local production, reduce costs and increase the rate of employment. The tech giant initially began production in India first with the iPhone SE in 2017.
Foxconn was supposed to start mass production of the 5.4-inch iPhone 13 mini and 6.1-inch iPhone 13 in January 2022 but the assembler was put on probation by Apple due to labor violations. Specifically, a food poisoning incident that left 150 employees hospitalized and incited protests. Foxconn was able to resume production at its plant after the Indian government ordered it to improve living conditions for workers.
In late 2020, Apple launched its first online store in India offering customers a direct way to purchase products straight from the company’s product range and access to its customer service. The launch of the online store helped the Cupertino tech giant generate a strong customer base in India.
In 2021, Apple CEO Tim Cook announced that the company would open its first official Apple Store in India by the end of 2021, inaugurated in Mumbai. However, the plan was delayed due to COVID-19 and has yet to happen.
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