Production at a Tata Electronics factory in southern India, which produces components for iPhones, has been suspended indefinitely following a significant fire that occurred last weekend.
The fire broke out on September 28, resulting in 10 minor injuries and halting production at the factory. Officials reported damage to iPhone components due to the fire. To mitigate the risk of further fires or smoke during the removal of collapsed roofs, the local fire department deployed fire trucks at the factory. The cause of the incident is currently under investigation.
Tata Electronics, a part of India’s Tata Group, is a major supplier of components for Apple in the region, alongside Foxconn from Taiwan. While Apple has not yet commented on the incident, Tata Electronics has stated that they are conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire and have implemented emergency procedures to ensure the safety of their employees.
Rescue teams are still in the process of clearing the debris at the factory, but inspection work is challenging due to the extensive damage. Another building in the same complex was slated to commence iPhone assembly by the end of 2024; however, the impact of the current situation is uncertain.
On September 29, district chief KM Sarayu shared images from a visit to the Tata Electronics factory, revealing the condition of the building and the machines that were damaged and covered in soot. Ms. Shilpa Prabhakar Satish, a senior Indian health official, also visited the factory and noted the collapsing structures and roofs of the buildings.
This fire is the latest event affecting the iPhone supply chain in India. It occurs as US manufacturers seek to diversify production away from China, with India emerging as a priority choice.
