Tata Group set to transform India into key Apple manufacturing hub with Wistron acquisition

Tata Group, the Indian multinational conglomerate, is in the final stages of acquiring Wistron’s iPhone manufacturing facility in India for over Rs 5,000 crores. The deal is expected to be finalized by the end of April. Currently producing iPhone 14 and 12 models, the facility located in Karnataka has eight assembly lines. After the acquisition, Tata Group aims to begin assembling the iPhone 15 later this year, potentially making India a crucial manufacturing hub for Apple products. The move aligns with the Indian government’s push for the country to become a production hub and Apple’s strategy of diversifying production away from China.

While Foxconn and Pegatron have recently expanded their production operations, Wistron is leaving India’s iPhone business, leading industry experts to speculate that Tata Group may acquire Pegatron’s iPhone manufacturing facilities once the Wistron deal is complete. However, the acquisition may lead to job losses, with reports suggesting that approximately 2,000 factory workers, 400 mid-level executives, and 4-5 senior executives may depart. Nevertheless, Tata Group has started organizational changes at the facility to prepare for the acquisition.

This move demonstrates the trend of multinational conglomerates expanding their presence in the tech industry. Tata Group will join the ranks of Apple’s current manufacturing partners. As the tech industry evolves, the acquisition could have significant implications for both Apple and the Indian manufacturing sector.