Pegatron Explores PC Manufacturing in India, Aligns with Apple’s Local Production Agenda

This development comes in response to India’s official policies aimed at bolstering local manufacturing and reducing import dependency, coupled with the recent suspension of import license quota policies until at least September 2024. Initially, there were speculations that Pegatron had shifted MacBook and iPad production to Indonesia in 2019, as reported by industry sources. However, recent revelations suggest that PC production never left China. Now, with India extending incentives to manufacture PCs locally, Pegatron sees a potential opportunity to expand its operations in the country, aligning well with Apple’s imperative to localize production or face penalties.

Apple, faced with India’s stringent regulations, particularly regarding local production mandates, finds itself compelled to ensure that its flagship products like MacBooks and iPads are manufactured within Indian borders. Pegatron’s contemplation of PC manufacturing in India could offer a synergistic solution to Apple’s localization needs, potentially securing its foothold in the Indian market.

Chairman Tong Zixian of Pegatron has confirmed the internal discussions within the company’s manufacturing divisions regarding the feasibility of scaling up production capacity in India. This move, if materialized, would not only mark a significant shift in Pegatron’s operational footprint but also position the company as a pioneer in Taiwan’s PC foundry industry, embracing the Made in India ethos.

At present, the Indian electronics manufacturing landscape lacks major players in PC production, with notable partnerships existing between brand manufacturers and entities like Flextronics, as well as local players such as Bhagwati and Dixon. Acer, for instance, has resorted to renting factories in India to produce desktop computers independently. However, Pegatron’s potential venture into local PC manufacturing could catalyze a paradigm shift, setting a precedent for other industry players to follow suit.

Tong Zixian elucidates on the long-term prospects, likening the Indian market’s trajectory to that of the mainland in the past. Beyond serving as a manufacturing hub, India presents itself as a colossal consumer market, hinting at the emergence of a trend favoring local manufacturing and consumption.

As Pegatron explores avenues for PC manufacturing in India, the collaboration with Apple underscores the convergence of business interests and regulatory imperatives in navigating the complexities of the Indian market. With the tech industry’s gaze firmly set on India, these developments herald a new chapter in the country’s journey towards becoming a global electronics manufacturing powerhouse.