Foxconn's decision to repatriate over 300 Chinese engineers from its India iPhone plants will have a negligible impact on production, TF International's Ming-Chi Kuo says.
According to Kuo, the move won't disrupt output for three reasons: there were already very few Chinese staff at Foxconn's Indian facilities; core production expertise was established by Taiwanese employees (not mainland Chinese); and the staggered repatriation has been planned in advance with Apple's full knowledge.
In fact, roughly 97% of iPhones exported from Foxconn's Indian operations between March and May were destined for the U.S., highlighting the plant's strategic role in Apple's supply-chain diversification.
As Apple (AAPL, Financial) shifts more iPhone assembly to India to reduce dependence on China, concerns arose that repatriating Chinese engineers might slow ramp-ups or quality control. Kuo's assurance underlines the robustness of Foxconn's local workforce and affirms Apple's ability to scale production outside China without sacrificing efficiency or output targets.
With production capabilities firmly in Taiwanese hands and a well-orchestrated return plan, Foxconn's India factories appear well positioned to maintain Apple's iPhone supply momentum—minimizing geopolitical risks while supporting U.S.-bound exports.
