Not just iPhones! Apple steps up India plans as supplier Jabil eyes second facility for AirPods component manufacturing

Apple’s AirPods enclosures supplier Jabil is planning to ramp up production of its cases in India by utilising a second facility in Tamil Nadu, according to people familiar with the matter quoted by ET. The move can be seen as part of Apple’s efforts to reduce its dependence on Chinese suppliers amid ongoing trade tensions and global tariff uncertainties.At present Jabil produces plastic casings for AirPods at its Pune plant and is considering its upcoming facility in Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) to expand operations."Jabil is considering Trichy as an AirPods production option," a source said, adding, “they are expected to get back to the state government on their final plan by the end of June or July."Last month, Jabil executives reportedly met Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin in Chennai before visiting the proposed site in Trichy, where construction is yet to begin."Jabil, like other Apple suppliers, is looking to strengthen their manufacturing footprint in India," another source said. "They see value in being able to double down on their production capabilities for Apple in India."“AirPods component production is a fairly new category in India and one that is expected to gain more significance in the near future. Companies like Jabil are hoping to be ahead of the curve,” the person added.The move follows reports that Foxconn’s Hyderabad facility started assembling AirPods for export. Apple has already deepened its investment in India through its partners Foxconn and Tata Group, especially in iPhone manufacturing.Prabhu Ram, vice president, industry research group at CyberMedia Research said, "In the overarching context of ongoing supply chain realignments and geopolitical uncertainties, India has been a key node for Apple's AirPods ambitions."Ram further added that Jabil's Indian operations are already supplying essential casings for AirPods assembly lines in China and Vietnam.“With the potential expansion moves in Trichy, India is slowly getting its end-to-end Apple manufacturing ecosystem together, from assembly to components."Last year on September 10, Jabil had signed a MoU with the Tamil Nadu government for the Trichy plant, in Chicago in the presence of Stalin and industries minister TRB Rajaa.