Tata Group Makes History as First Indian Company to Manufacture iPhones

In a significant development, Tata Group has acquired a 100 percent stake in Wistron InfoComm Manufacturing (India) unit, a subsidiary of Taiwan-based Wistron Corporation. The deal, valued at $125 million (approximately Rs. 1,040 crores), establishes Tata as the first Indian company to manufacture iPhones in the country. This move aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, aimed at bolstering local manufacturing.

Rajeev Chandrashekhar, the Union Minister of State for Electronics and Technology, confirmed this milestone through a post on X, emphasizing the strategic importance of this acquisition. Under the PLI initiative, Tata Group is set to commence iPhone production in India over the next two and a half years, with plans to distribute these devices both domestically and internationally.

The acquisition was greenlit following a board meeting held by Wistron on October 27, wherein it granted approval to its subsidiaries, SMS InfoComm (Singapore) and Wistron Hong Kong Limited, to proceed with the share purchase agreement with Tata Electronics Private Limited (TEPL). The agreement is now poised to advance through subsequent stages of approval.

Tata's entry into iPhone manufacturing has been a subject of discussion for several months. Initially anticipated to be finalized by August, the process experienced a minor delay. The manufacturing activities will be based at the existing Wistron unit near Bengaluru, which already operates an iPhone assembly plant.

Beyond iPhone production, Tata also intends to establish 100 stores across India exclusively dedicated to Apple products. This development augurs well for India's growing reputation as a key hub for Apple's global supply chain. Notably, Foxconn and Pegatron, two prominent global suppliers, already engage in iPhone assembly activities in Tamil Nadu. This year, for the first time, India witnessed the sale of 'assembled in India' iPhone 15 models on the day of their global launch.

Tata's acquisition of Wistron InfoComm Manufacturing (India) unit represents a significant stride towards bolstering India's position in the global electronics manufacturing landscape. This venture aligns with the government's vision of promoting self-reliance and local production capacities, marking a momentous chapter in India's technological evolution.