Foxconn Expands India Footprint with New iPhone Enclosure Factory in Tamil Nadu

Senthil Kumar
Jun 20
2 min read

Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer and a key Apple supplier, is set to deepen its India operations by establishing a new iPhone enclosure manufacturing facility at the ESR Industrial Park in Oragadam, Tamil Nadu. This marks a strategic expansion beyond Foxconn’s existing assembly capabilities in India.

A Strategic Move: Foxconn Ventures into Enclosure Manufacturing

Until now, Tata Electronics had been the exclusive producer of iPhone enclosures in India, operating out of its Hosur plant. Foxconn’s decision to enter this segment signifies Apple’s intention to diversify its local supplier base and reduce dependency on Chinese production lines.

According to The Economic Times, construction of the new enclosure unit has already begun and is located adjacent to Foxconn’s upcoming display module assembly plant, which is nearing completion in the same industrial park.

“Foxconn plans to start making enclosures in Tamil Nadu as they deepen their footprint in the country,” said a source familiar with the development.

Foxconn’s Manufacturing Push in India

This expansion comes amid Foxconn’s broader India growth strategy. The company plans to manufacture 25–30 million iPhones in India this year—more than double its 2024 output. It is also aggressively expanding its land and infrastructure holdings in the country.

In 2023, Foxconn acquired 300 acres near Bengaluru airport and committed ₹25,000 crore for development, indicating its long-term plans for India as a global manufacturing hub.

Foxconn’s iPhone Exports to the US Surge

Foxconn’s India exports have witnessed a significant shift in 2025. From March to May, 97% of iPhones produced in India were exported to the United States, compared to an average of 50.3% in 2024, according to customs data reviewed by Reuters.

Key Figures:

$3.2 billion worth of iPhones exported from India to the US (March–May 2025)
$1 billion worth exported in May 2025 alone (second-highest on record)
$1.3 billion exported in March (highest monthly total)
$4.4 billion in iPhones shipped to the US in 2025 so far, surpassing the $3.7 billion total for all of 2024

This export shift reflects Apple’s strategic push to bypass steep US tariffs on Chinese imports by ramping up India-based production and export operations.

The Apple–India Manufacturing Strategy

Apple has been steadily growing its supply chain footprint in India as part of a "China plus one" strategy, seeking alternative locations for manufacturing due to rising geopolitical and economic tensions. The collaboration with both Foxconn and Tata Electronics in Tamil Nadu is a clear signal of Apple’s long-term interest in India as a reliable production and export base.

Conclusion

Foxconn’s expansion into iPhone enclosure manufacturing in Tamil Nadu is a milestone for India’s electronics ecosystem. With rising exports, large-scale land acquisitions, and deeper integration with Apple’s supply chain, Foxconn is positioning India as a core global production base for iPhones—both for domestic and international markets, especially the US.

As Apple looks to minimize risks from overreliance on China, India stands to gain significantly from this global supply chain realignment.