In a landmark development for India's manufacturing sector, Foxconn has achieved a record-breaking feat at its newest iPhone production facility near Bengaluru. The company has onboarded close to 30,000 employees in a span of just eight to nine months, marking the fastest workforce expansion ever witnessed by a single factory in the country.
A Strategic Shift in Apple's Global Supply Chain
This rapid scaling at the sprawling Devanahalli plant is a clear indicator of Apple's aggressive strategy to diversify its supply chain away from China. Sources familiar with the project confirmed that the swift ramp-up is central to the tech giant's plans for building a robust manufacturing base in India. The facility, spread across 300 acres, stands out not just for its scale but for its unique demographic composition.
Approximately 80% of the newly hired employees are women, predominantly first-time workers aged between 19 and 24. This focus on creating employment for young women is a significant aspect of the project's social impact. "The factory began trial production of the iPhone 16 around April-May this year and is now manufacturing the latest iPhone 17 Pro Max models," revealed a person with direct knowledge of the operations.
Building a Mini-Township for a Massive Workforce
The scale of the project is set to grow even further. Employment is projected to increase as production volumes rise, with a second source indicating the unit has the capacity to employ up to 50,000 workers at peak production, expected next year. To accommodate this vast workforce, especially the female staff, a large residential infrastructure is being developed on-site.
"There are six large dormitories, several of which are already operational to house the women staff. Construction for the remaining facilities is in full swing," the person stated. With this planned expansion, the Devanahalli facility is poised to house more women workers at a single location than any other government or private entity in India.
The vision extends beyond a mere factory. The site is being developed as a self-contained mini-township to attract and retain talent, particularly women migrants from neighbouring states. Plans include integrated residential complexes, medical services, schools, and entertainment spaces within the premises.
Setting New Benchmarks for Indian Manufacturing
Industry estimates suggest that, along with benefits like free accommodation and subsidised food, workers earn an average monthly salary of about Rs 18,000, positioning these roles among the better-paying blue-collar jobs for women in the region. Foxconn, Apple's largest contract manufacturer, is investing a massive Rs 20,000 crore in this venture.
Once fully completed, it is expected to become India's largest factory in terms of both production capacity and employment. "With a production floor space of nearly 250,000 sq ft, it's massive by any standards and certainly among the largest in the country," the first person added. This new plant will surpass Foxconn's existing iPhone manufacturing unit in Tamil Nadu, which currently employs around 41,000 workers.
Apple's deepening commitment to India has been steadily growing, supported by the government's Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme introduced in 2021. A government official remarked, "Apple's operations in India are a shining example of government-industry partnership. This size and speed of expansion was unimaginable just four years ago. Apple's plant has broken multiple records, setting a new benchmark for what is possible in manufacturing and exports from India."
The rapid scale-up has been facilitated by the expansion of Apple's supplier network in India to nearly 45 companies, including local component manufacturers and sub-assembly firms. More than 80% of the output from the Bengaluru plant is exported, contributing significantly to India's electronics export goals. According to reports, all iPhone models are now made in India from the start and exported globally.
