Foxconn has recalled hundreds of Chinese engineers and technicians from its iPhone manufacturing facilities in India over the past two months, but sources indicate the move will not significantly impact production schedules or Apple 's expansion plans in the country.
The bulk of Foxconn's Chinese staff at iPhone plants in southern India have been told to fly back in a move that began about two months ago, with more than 300 Chinese workers having left the facilities. Despite this significant workforce change, industry insiders maintain that iPhone 17 production remains on track as Apple prepares for its next major manufacturing ramp-up in the South Asian nation.
Production continuity maintained despite workforce changesMore than 300 Chinese workers have departed from Foxconn's southern India plants, with the company replacing them with Taiwanese and Vietnamese professionals to maintain operational efficiency, according to Bloomberg reports. The recall appears linked to Beijing's broader strategy to limit technology transfers and equipment exports to India and Southeast Asia.
Despite the workforce transition, iPhone 17 production remains on schedule as Apple prepares to ramp up manufacturing with its Indian partners. Industry sources told ET that while the departure of experienced Chinese engineers may temporarily affect assembly line efficiency, it won't compromise production quality or timelines.
Capital goods supply chains adapt to geopolitical shiftsThe recall highlights growing tensions in global supply chains as China moves to restrict skilled labor and technology exports. However, Foxconn is proactively addressing potential disruptions by converting Chinese-language machinery to English-operated systems and sourcing equipment from alternative suppliers.
Apple's Indian operations have shown remarkable resilience, with the company producing iPhones worth $22 billion in fiscal 2025 - a 60% increase from the previous year. The tech giant plans to manufacture 60 million units in India this year, up from 35-40 million in 2024-25, according to PTI sources.
What Foxconn told Indian government on Chinese staff leaving India
India's government was informed of the Chinese staff withdrawal but wasn't provided specific reasons for the decision. Officials report no major impact on current phone production levels, with Apple maintaining its target to build most US-bound iPhones in India by late 2026.
The Apple ecosystem in India employs approximately 200,000 people across various vendors, making it one of the country's largest job creators in the technology sector. With exports worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore in fiscal 2025, India has emerged as a crucial manufacturing hub for Apple's global supply chain diversification strategy.
The bulk of Foxconn's Chinese staff at iPhone plants in southern India have been told to fly back in a move that began about two months ago, with more than 300 Chinese workers having left the facilities. Despite this significant workforce change, industry insiders maintain that iPhone 17 production remains on track as Apple prepares for its next major manufacturing ramp-up in the South Asian nation.
Production continuity maintained despite workforce changesMore than 300 Chinese workers have departed from Foxconn's southern India plants, with the company replacing them with Taiwanese and Vietnamese professionals to maintain operational efficiency, according to Bloomberg reports. The recall appears linked to Beijing's broader strategy to limit technology transfers and equipment exports to India and Southeast Asia.
Despite the workforce transition, iPhone 17 production remains on schedule as Apple prepares to ramp up manufacturing with its Indian partners. Industry sources told ET that while the departure of experienced Chinese engineers may temporarily affect assembly line efficiency, it won't compromise production quality or timelines.
Capital goods supply chains adapt to geopolitical shiftsThe recall highlights growing tensions in global supply chains as China moves to restrict skilled labor and technology exports. However, Foxconn is proactively addressing potential disruptions by converting Chinese-language machinery to English-operated systems and sourcing equipment from alternative suppliers.
Apple's Indian operations have shown remarkable resilience, with the company producing iPhones worth $22 billion in fiscal 2025 - a 60% increase from the previous year. The tech giant plans to manufacture 60 million units in India this year, up from 35-40 million in 2024-25, according to PTI sources.
What Foxconn told Indian government on Chinese staff leaving India
India's government was informed of the Chinese staff withdrawal but wasn't provided specific reasons for the decision. Officials report no major impact on current phone production levels, with Apple maintaining its target to build most US-bound iPhones in India by late 2026.
The Apple ecosystem in India employs approximately 200,000 people across various vendors, making it one of the country's largest job creators in the technology sector. With exports worth Rs 1.5 lakh crore in fiscal 2025, India has emerged as a crucial manufacturing hub for Apple's global supply chain diversification strategy.
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