A recent fire at Tata Group’s Apple iPhone component plant in southern India has caused extensive damage, potentially disrupting production ahead of a festive season sales surge. As a result, Apple’s suppliers may have to source critical parts from China or other locations to make up for the halt in production at Tata’s Hosur plant in Tamil Nadu. This plant is the sole supplier of iPhone back panels and other parts for both Foxconn and Tata’s own iPhone assembly in India.
Counterpoint Research estimates that local sales of iPhone 14 and 15 models during the Indian festive season could reach 1.5 million units, with Apple struggling to meet up to 15 percent of that demand due to the fire. Neil Shah, a co-founder of Counterpoint, suggests that there will be a 10-15 percent impact on the production of older iPhone models in India, which Apple may offset by importing more components and rerouting export inventory towards India. However, the full extent of the impact will depend on how soon production can resume at the plant.
While Tata declined to comment on the situation, commercially available customs data shows that the conglomerate exported iPhones to countries like the Netherlands, United States, and China, with a total worth of over $250 million in the year leading up to August 31. Apple suppliers typically carry a three- to four-week stock of back panels, but an industry source believes that Apple may have a stockpile of up to eight weeks, potentially mitigating immediate disruptions in iPhone production.
The fire incident in Tata’s plant highlights the vulnerabilities in Apple’s supply chain, especially concerning the Prime Minister’s “Make in India” initiative. Apple’s efforts to diversify its manufacturing locations beyond China have faced challenges, such as previous fire incidents and labor unrest in India. Analysts believe that continued efforts to improve safety and operational standards are crucial for strengthening India’s position as a global electronics manufacturing hub and attracting more foreign investors.
Tata has been one of Apple’s newest suppliers in India, with the potential to contribute significantly to global iPhone shipments. The fire-affected plant employed 20,000 workers, and the incident may impact the timeline for another unit in the Tata complex to start producing complete iPhones. Tata also operates another iPhone plant near Bengaluru, acquired from Wistron, and is set to acquire a second one in Tamil Nadu near Chennai from Pegatron, showcasing the company’s growing role in Apple’s supply chain in India.
