[News] Xiaomi Advances Indian Localization Strategy with Opening of New PCBA and Smartphone Plants

Aims to lead a broader INR 15,000 Cr. investment in Indian technology manufacturing

NEW DELHI, India, 9 April 2018 — Global technology leader Xiaomi, also India’s no.1 smartphone brand, announced today the opening of three new smartphone plants in India, as well as its first SMT (Surface Mount Technology) plant dedicated towards local manufacturing of PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly) units in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu, in partnership with Foxconn.

To date, over 95% of Xiaomi smartphones sold in India are made in India, and today’s announcements reflect the further development of Xiaomi’s localization strategy in the country.

In partnership with Hipad Technology, Xiaomi has also started manufacturing smartphones at its power bank plant in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. This results in a total of six smartphone manufacturing plants in India to date.

Manu Jain, Vice President, Xiaomi Global and Managing Director, Xiaomi India said: “Xiaomi’s products, which combine innovation, great design, high quality, and superior value have been instrumental in disrupting the Indian smartphone industry. In 2015 we extended our long-term commitment to the Indian market by joining the ‘Make in India’ programme. Today we are deepening this commitment with three more smartphone factories and our first SMT plant dedicated towards local manufacturing of PCBA units. Xiaomi has pioneered local assembly of PCBAs in India, and I believe we will continue to play a key role in transforming India into a global manufacturing hub.”

From left to right- Zhang Feng (VP, Xiaomi Global), Li Bijian (Minister Counsellor, Chinese Embassy in India), Amitabh Kant (CEO, Niti Ayog), Manu Jain ( Vice President, Xiaomi and Managing Director, Xiaomi India)

Xiaomi made these announcements at its first ever Supplier Investment Summit in India, where the company is hosting over 50 global smartphone component suppliers to educate them about the Indian manufacturing ecosystem. The goal is to help these companies set up base in India, which could mean added investment of over 15,000 crore rupees ($2.5 billion) and as many as 50,000 new job opportunities.

Jain continued: “We are delighted to host our first Supplier Investment Summit in India. We believe that this will help our suppliers effectively assess and expand their manufacturing capabilities in the country; contribute towards meaningful investment and job growth; and help boost the overall economy.”

The supplier summit starts today and will run until 11 April 2018. The component suppliers will be visiting the states of Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh to explore and learn about investment opportunities in India, incentives offered by the central and state governments, FDI policy, industrial policy and various state sector specific policies.

Xiaomi has grown to become the number one smartphone player in India over the past three years, with an overall market share of 26.8% as per Q4 IDC Quarterly Smartphone Tracker, 2017. Xiaomi is also the number one player in the online smartphone segment with 57% market share and the number two smartphone player in the offline space with 11.2% market share as per Q4 IDC Quarterly Smartphone Tracker, 2017.