HMD global shifts manufacturing to India, invites suppliers to join

Home
Industry News
HMD global shifts manufacturing to India, invites suppliers to join

HMD global shifts manufacturing to India, invites suppliers to join

Industry News
Dec 02,24

The transition is supported by partnerships with manufacturers like Dixon Technologies for smartphones and Zet Town India, a subsidiary of Zetwerk, for feature phones.

HMD global shifts manufacturing to India, invites suppliers to join

HMD Global, the Finnish company behind Nokia-branded feature phones, is relocating a substantial portion of its manufacturing operations from China to India, positioning the country as its central production hub. The company is actively engaging global electronic component suppliers to establish factories in India to bolster its export ambitions, according to a report by the source.

The move aligns with HMD’s strategy to capitalise on shifting global trade dynamics, including the ongoing US-China trade tensions.

Ravi Kunwar, CEO and Vice President- India and Asia Pacific at HMD, emphasised that the transition from China to India involves supply chain, sourcing, and logistics teams. The shift has already resulted in a significant portion of products being exported from India, reducing reliance on China.

HMD currently exports Nokia feature phones and smartphones from India to markets in West Asia and Africa, with plans to expand to the US and Europe. The company’s focus on supply chain security and geopolitical stability supports its vision of India as a competitive export manufacturing alternative.

The transition is supported by partnerships with manufacturers like Dixon Technologies for smartphones and Zet Town India, a subsidiary of Zetwerk, for feature phones. Kunwar noted that clarity on government policies, including the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology's upcoming electronics component manufacturing scheme, will encourage more suppliers to invest in India.

HMD’s strategy includes leveraging India’s domestic market while enhancing export capacity. Earlier this year, the company introduced a new brand identity, moving away from the Nokia name for smartphones. It is focusing on mid-range devices priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15,000, with plans to enter the sub-Rs 10,000 segment in 2025.

The company’s India roadmap for 2025 is built on three pillars: secure devices, feature phones, and device financing. Kunwar highlighted the growing importance of device security for governments, enterprises, and consumers, which is shaping the company’s future offerings.

(Moneycontrol & Business Standard)