Apple assembly partner Foxconn is preparing to double monthly AirPods output and more than double its workforce in its facility in Hyderabad, India, reports the Economic Times. The move comes as Apple is accelerating accessory manufacturing in the Asian country.
The report says Foxconn will raise capacity at its Kongara Kalan plant from more than 100,000 units per month to 200,000 units per month. The company plans to overhaul five existing assembly lines and instal additional equipment being brought in from facilities in Vietnam. The site kicked off production of AirPods in April.
The workforce of around 2,000 employees is also likely to more than double, rising to 5,000 over the next six to eight months. Current the plant assembles the AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3 earbud models.
Apple is stepping up production in Hyderabad to avoid issues like happened in July, when AirPods production was hampered by a shortage of dysprosium after China tightened export controls on rare earth metals. The Indian AirPods production expansion is part of a strategic hif in production in Apple’s supply chain as it works to diversifies its manufacturing across different regions.
