Kolar, which was formerly known for massive gold mines, will soon become a smartphone manufacturing hub of India. Apple's supply partner Wistron Corp. confirmed to set up a mega mobile manufacturing unit at a 43-acre industrial plot in Narasapura (Kolar), 70 km from the Silicon City of India, Bengaluru.
A large contingent of experts and top officials of Wistron Corp from China accompanied by India head Gururaj A held a high-level discussion with Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy and Skill Development Entrepreneurship and Livelihood Department minister RV Deshpande.
As per the reports, Wistron plans to invest close to Rs 3000 crore to set up the plant in two phases. The first stage's civil work slated to take off next month on August 15, 2018. It will initially invest Rs 650 crore offering 2,500 jobs in the phase-1 and when fully completed, it will scale up the count to around 10,500.
Kumaraswamy has welcomed the Wistron's proposal and has also advised the company to set up a mobile repair and technology facility, in addition to the mobile phone assembling unit.
Meanwhile, Deshpande is optimistic about signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Wistron Corp within seven days, provided the company assures to offer jobs for local Kannadigas.
"The facility (in Kolar) is going to be the biggest project of this type in the country. It will generate 10,500 employment opportunities to the local populace and the company intends to expand the unit, "Gururaj A, India head of the Wistron Corp, said.
Industry sources have confirmed to International Business Times India that Wistron's new plant will also be catering to other mobile brand clients in addition to Apple in India.
The Wistron plant in Peenya is currently assembling the iPhone SE and the iPhone 6S and the former is in the process of expanding the factory at same premises to scale up the production over time.
That aside, this Wistron's manufacturing plant will give a big boost to Modi government's Make in India initiative. Earlier in the month, Apple arch-rival Samsung opened the world's biggest mobile manufacturing unit in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Samsung confirmed that the factory will be manufacturing all mobile categories from low-end Galaxy J series to top-end Galaxy S9, S9+ and Galaxy Note8.
The facility is going to be the biggest project of this type in the country. It will generate 10,500 employment opportunities to the local populace and the company intends to expand the unit, said Mr.Gururaj, the India Head of the company. pic.twitter.com/DP5X54na0R
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) July 24, 2018
