In a significant move aligning with Apple’s strategy to diversify its supply chain beyond China, Apple supplier Jabil is reportedly planning to ramp up production of AirPods components in India. The expansion plan involves establishing a second facility in Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), Tamil Nadu, which will further boost the manufacturing of AirPods enclosures—commonly referred to as the plastic bodies of the popular wireless earphones.
This development follows Jabil’s earlier move in 2023 to commence manufacturing AirPods components at its facility in Pune, Maharashtra. Since then, Jabil has been actively shipping AirPods enclosures from India to Apple’s assembly hubs in China and Vietnam, supporting Apple’s broader strategy to reduce overdependence on Chinese manufacturing and strengthen its presence in India.
India has been steadily emerging as a critical player in Apple’s global supply chain. The Cupertino-based tech giant has already been assembling iPhones in India through its partners Foxconn, Pegatron, and Wistron (now Tata Electronics). The addition of AirPods components production not only underscores Apple’s growing confidence in India’s manufacturing ecosystem but also indicates a deeper integration of India into Apple’s supply chain.
The planned expansion in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruchirappalli district is expected to generate employment opportunities and attract further investment into the region’s electronics manufacturing sector. Tamil Nadu has long been a hub for electronics and hardware production, with robust infrastructure, skilled labor, and government incentives supporting industrial growth.
Jabil’s expansion will likely enhance production efficiency, reduce logistical costs, and strengthen the company’s ability to meet Apple’s high-demand timelines. Additionally, the move is seen as a strategic response to ongoing geopolitical tensions and global trade uncertainties, especially in the wake of U.S.-China trade tensions and pandemic-induced disruptions.
India’s favorable government policies, such as the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, are also contributing to the shift of global electronics manufacturing to the country. Apple’s increasing involvement in India is likely to have a ripple effect, encouraging other global suppliers and tech companies to invest in the Indian manufacturing sector.
This expansion also represents a significant step toward India’s ambitions to become a global electronics manufacturing hub. As Apple continues to diversify its product assembly and component production operations, India is well-positioned to play a central role in the tech giant’s future growth plans.
In conclusion, Jabil’s plan to establish a second AirPods enclosure production facility in Tamil Nadu marks another milestone in Apple’s India journey. As the demand for Apple products continues to rise globally, India’s contribution to Apple’s supply chain is set to grow, strengthening both the local economy and Apple’s global manufacturing resilience.
