New hub for manufacturing Apple products

[Subbulakshmi]

Tamil Nadu is all set to become the new hub for manufacturing Apple products for the global market. The state cabinet, which met on Friday evening, cleared 34 industrial projects entailing investments of Rs 52,257 crore that includes component manufacturers for Apple such as Tata Electronics, Pegatron Corporation, Taiwan, and Luxshare of Taiwan. The investments will result in creating employment for around 94,000 people in the state.

"With Tamil Nadu already hosting manufacturing facilities of Foxconn and Salcomp, the clearances for investments from Tata Electronics, Pegatron and Luxshare will ensure that the entire ecosystem of manufacturing Apple products will be housed in Tamil Nadu," a senior state government official told TOI. The cabinet also approved the New Industrial Policy of Tamil Nadu, which will be unveiled in February.

Tata Electronics will invest Rs 5,763 crore and create 18,250 jobs in Krishnagiri district for making mobile phone components. Pegatron will invest Rs 1,100 crore in the first phase and create more than 14,000 jobs in its proposed unit to make mobile phones in Mahindra World City in Chengalpet district, about 60km from Chennai. Pegatron is the second largest contract manufacturer of Apple phones.

Luxshare of Taiwan is investing Rs 745 crore and will create 4,000 jobs. It will make electronic components and wearables. It is taking over Motorola's defunct manufacturing unit in Sriperumbudur near Chennai.