Samsung opens the world's largest smartphone factory in India

Samsung has expanded its mobile manufacturing facility in Noida, Uttar Pradesh (U.P.), India to enable production of 120 million smartphone units a year, up from the 67 million units currently being manufactured. This makes the Noida facility the world's largest for smartphone production. The newly expanded facility was inaugurated yesterday by the Prime Minister of India Mr. Narendra Modi along with South Korean President Mr. Moon Jae-in in the presence of U.P. Chief Minister Sri Yogi Adityanath and other officials. 

Alongside smartphones, the 35 acre facility in Sector 81, Noida will also handle high-volume production of Samsung's consumer electronics such as refrigerators, smart televisions etc. The facility is expected to create more employment opportunities with the company already having employed more than 70,000 personnel across its five R&D Centers, one design center, and two manufacturing plants (Noida and Sri Perumbudur) in India. The capacity augmentation will give Samsung the edge in rolling out products faster to SAARC nations and also help incorporate features to cater to local tastes. 

India is turning out to be a hotbed for foreign manufactures, especially smartphones-makers. For example, 95% of Xiaomi's handsets for the Indian market are made in India. Apple has also started making iPhone SEs in India although the Indian Government is to yet to yield to the former's demands of tax-free imports. The Indian Government's 'Make in India' initiative has resulted in increased customs duties for electronic components forcing major manufacturers to establish base in India if they are to avoid tax overheads. The lucrative yet price sensitive nature of the Indian market seems too good to let go for any manufacturer and many see establishing manufacturing facilities in India as an investment that pays well over time. 

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