U.S.-based Apple supplier Jabil has started manufacturing components for AirPods in India. The Florida-based supplier has begun shipping plastic AirPods enclosures to China and Vietnam. Jabil operates a 858,000 square foot facility employing more than 2,500 workers in Pune, western India.
The move marks a significant step in the tech giant’s push to expand production in the country, reports Bloomberg.
Apple has been working to reduce its reliance on China for its devices and components, as COVID-19 lockdowns in China and trade restrictions in the United States have caused supply disruptions.
Many Apple components suppliers based in China are still waiting on Indian government approval to begin manufacturing in the country. The Economic Times reported that 14 Chinese companies have so far been granted only initial clearance.
The rush has been spurred by the news that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is drawing up plans to offer financial incentives to companies that produce wireless earphones and smartwatches locally.
Apple is reportedly looking to triple its Indian iPhone production capacity within the next two years.
(Via MacRumors)
