Foxconn’s Hyderabad plant to double AirPods production, boost workforce amid expansion plans

As part of its expansion, FIT is relocating machinery from Vietnam, investing Rs 4,800 crore in Hyderabad, with over Rs 3,000 crore deployed, and adding one or two new production lines to boost capacity

Foxconn Interconnect Technology (FIT), the Hyderabad-based subsidiary of Taiwanese electronics giant Foxconn, is set to significantly expand its Apple AirPods manufacturing operations over the next six to eight months. The move reportedly comes as part of Foxconn’s broader strategy to diversify manufacturing beyond China and strengthen its presence in India.

Production capacity and workforce expansion

According to reports, the Kongara Kalan facility, which began commercial production of AirPods in April, will revamp five existing production lines to accommodate new AirPods models and meet growing global demand. Once the expansion is complete, monthly output is expected to rise to around 200,000 units, up from the current 100,000. To support this growth, the workforce is projected to increase from 2,000 to 5,000 employees.

As part of the expansion, FIT is relocating machinery from its Vietnam facilities. The total investment in the Hyderabad plant stands at Rs 4,800 crore, with over Rs 3,000 crore already deployed. Officials, as per reports, said one or two new production lines will also be added to support the planned increase in capacity.

Boost to Apple’s manufacturing base in India

The expansion aligns with Apple’s efforts to strengthen its manufacturing base in India. Apple exported iPhones worth a record $10 billion from India in the first half of the current fiscal year, a 75% increase from the same period last year. FIT’s Hyderabad plant currently produces the latest AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3 models, launched in September 2024 and September 2025, respectively.

In addition to AirPods, the facility manufactures wearables, connectors, and cables for multiple brands. Strategically located about 15 km from Hyderabad’s airport, it serves as a hub for audio device production targeting markets in India, the US, and Europe.

FIT’s Hyderabad operations are part of a $550-million investment plan aimed at generating 24,000 jobs and producing Apple accessories, initially with $150 million and additional approval for $400 million. This investment underscores Foxconn’s commitment to diversifying its global supply chain while bolstering India’s role in electronics manufacturing.