Apple is reportedly in advanced talks with Murugappa Group and Tata Group's Titan Company to assemble and manufacture sub-components for iPhone camera modules.
If the discussions materialise, it could expand Apple's supplier network in India as the company plans to reduce its reliance on China for manufacturing operations, as per a report by the Economic Times.
The tech giant doesn't source camera modules for its iPhones from Indian suppliers, even though some models are assembled in India. According to sources cited in the report teaming up with either Titan or Murugappa Group could help fix this gap in the supply chain.
“In a timeframe of five to six months, they (Apple) will have finalised which is the (partner) to bet on,” a person familiar with the matter told ET.
Titan is known for its expertise in producing precision components, particularly for watches and jewelry. Based in Bengaluru, the company owns Titan Engineering and Automation, which initially started as an in-house engineering division for crafting high-precision components. It has since extended its services to global clients across diverse industries, including defense and aerospace.
Meanwhile, Murugappa Group, headquartered in Chennai, boasts a century-old legacy as a diversified industrial conglomerate, spanning engineering, financial services, and chemicals sectors. Two years back, the Group expanded its presence in the electronics and components sector by acquiring a 76 per cent stake in Moshine Electronics, a camera module manufacturer based in Noida.
Both Tata Group and Murugappa Group have met the criteria for government incentives to establish semiconductor chip assembly units.
