Foxconn, one of Apple’s key supply chain partners, is preparing a major expansion at its facility in Hyderabad, India, as part of a broader strategy to accelerate accessory production in the region. According to reports, the plan includes doubling monthly production capacity for AirPods and significantly increasing the number of employees at the site.
At the center of this expansion is Foxconn’s manufacturing plant in Kongara Kalan. The facility currently produces over 100,000 AirPods per month, and with the planned upgrades, capacity is expected to reach 200,000 units monthly. To achieve this, all five existing assembly lines will undergo extensive modernization, and additional equipment will be transferred from Foxconn’s plants in Vietnam to boost efficiency.
This facility only began producing AirPods in April after the necessary machinery and infrastructure were installed. The decision to expand operations shortly after launch highlights its growing strategic importance in Apple’s global supply network.
The increase in production will also drive job growth. The site currently employs around 2,000 people, but that number is projected to exceed 5,000 within six to eight months. Reports indicate that the facility’s assembly line portfolio already includes upcoming next-generation models such as AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3.
The move comes shortly after a supply chain disruption linked to China’s export restrictions on rare earth elements. In July, tightened controls on dysprosium exports caused a temporary shortage of this critical component, which is essential for AirPods production.
By scaling up manufacturing in India, Apple aims to mitigate the risks associated with geopolitical tensions and overreliance on a single country for production. This expansion is part of a broader, long-term strategy to diversify its supply chain footprint across multiple regions.
