Foxconn is reported to be nearly doubling its staff at its Chennai plant in order to increase the production of iPhone models for sale in India.
The Economic Times of India reports that Apple has received the local government’s clearance to do what’s called “denotifying.” Foxconn’s Chennai plant operates within a special economic zone (SEZ), which infers certain benefits, along with certain conditions.
A denotified region can be used for expanded production, for instance, on the condition that this production be for local sale within what’s called the domestic tariff area (DTA).
“The expansion has been on the cards,” an unspecified source told the publication. “A portion of their premises has been denotified to ramp up production, for which they need to increase their workforce.”
Foxconn has earmarked 40 acres for the new production facilities. Foxconn has not announced an official opening date for the new production facility.
Foxconn’s Sriperumbudur iPhone plant was placed on probation by Apple earlier this year, following worker protests over living conditions.
A report from earlier today said iPhone production in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou is still “proceeding well,” even though lockdowns and restrictions are being imposed in the area.