Foxconn has recalled around 300 Chinese engineers working at an Apple factory in India — throwing up a fresh hurdle for rapid expansion plans. The iPhone maker has ramped up production in the country as it strives to source the majority of its phones sold in the US from India by the end of 2026. But efforts to make more than 80 million iPhones in India per year have hit several snags in recent months.
Hundreds of Chinese workers exit India
According to a Bloomberg report, hundreds of Chinese workers have been extracted from the factory of Yuzhan Technology in Tamil Nadu. Sources told the publication that Foxconn had started flying in Taiwanese engineers to replace the departing staffers. This is the second such incident to take place in a matter of months and underscores the sway that Chinese technicians and supply chain hold over the manufacturing of high-precision engineered products.
The China-based Foxconn subsidiary had also recalled more than 300 Chinese engineers and technicians between May and July this year. The transfers commenced soon after Beijing encouraged regulatory agencies and local governments to limit technology transfers and export of equipment to India and Southeast Asia. No official reason has been provided for the ongoing exodus.
Apple iPhone plans derailed?
Apple has increased its presence in India over the past few years — opening its first retail stores and significantly expanding local manufacturing efforts. According to another Bloomberg update, the company is now planning to move assembly of all itsupcoming iPhone 17 models to five factories in India. This will mark the first time that every new variant of its signature device (including the premium Pro editions) will be manufactured in India. The company has already shifted a significant chunk of its iPhone output for the American market from China to India.
Reports indicate that two of its newest facilities — the Tata Group plant in Hosur and the Foxconn factory near Bengaluru airport — will be central to this expansion. The Yuzhan factory currently makes enclosures, or metal cases, and display modules for older iPhone models. It not working on the latest iPhone 17 line at this time.
