iPhone component factory of Tata halts production indefinitely following fire
Tata's iPhone component manufacturing facility has suspended operations indefinitely following a fire incident.
TroibNews 
Production at a Tata Electronics facility in southern India that manufactures Apple iPhone components will remain suspended indefinitely following a fire over the weekend, according to officials. Efforts are being made to mitigate further damage from the incident.
M. Velu, a district fire officer, stated to Reuters, "We have stationed fire engines at the plant as there are chances of a follow-up fire incident or smoke coming off when the sheds that had fallen during the accident are removed." He also added, "We have not yet ascertained the cause of the fire."
The fire erupted early Saturday at the plant located in Tamil Nadu state, resulting in minor injuries to 10 individuals and a halt in production. This incident is the latest disruption in Apple's iPhone supply chain in India, coinciding with the company's strategic push to diversify and view India as a significant growth market.
Apple has not publicly commented on the situation, while Tata has indicated that the cause of the fire is under investigation, affirming that emergency protocols at the plant ensured the safety of its employees.
The facility produces essential back panels and various components for iPhones. Within the same complex, another building is planned to begin iPhone assembly before year-end, but the impact on that operation remains uncertain.
District Collector K. M. Sarayu shared photos on X after visiting the Tata plant on Sunday, which depicted the building and machinery, with ceilings charred and covered in soot.
Shilpa Prabhakar Satish, a senior health official from India who visited the site on Sunday, described it as "very badly burnt and absolutely no visibility inside." She added, "The structure was falling; the roof was falling. No one could even go inside."
Tata Electronics is a key supplier for Apple in India and is part of the larger $165 billion Tata Group, which spans various sectors from salt to software.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
M. Velu, a district fire officer, stated to Reuters, "We have stationed fire engines at the plant as there are chances of a follow-up fire incident or smoke coming off when the sheds that had fallen during the accident are removed." He also added, "We have not yet ascertained the cause of the fire."
The fire erupted early Saturday at the plant located in Tamil Nadu state, resulting in minor injuries to 10 individuals and a halt in production. This incident is the latest disruption in Apple's iPhone supply chain in India, coinciding with the company's strategic push to diversify and view India as a significant growth market.
Apple has not publicly commented on the situation, while Tata has indicated that the cause of the fire is under investigation, affirming that emergency protocols at the plant ensured the safety of its employees.
The facility produces essential back panels and various components for iPhones. Within the same complex, another building is planned to begin iPhone assembly before year-end, but the impact on that operation remains uncertain.
District Collector K. M. Sarayu shared photos on X after visiting the Tata plant on Sunday, which depicted the building and machinery, with ceilings charred and covered in soot.
Shilpa Prabhakar Satish, a senior health official from India who visited the site on Sunday, described it as "very badly burnt and absolutely no visibility inside." She added, "The structure was falling; the roof was falling. No one could even go inside."
Tata Electronics is a key supplier for Apple in India and is part of the larger $165 billion Tata Group, which spans various sectors from salt to software.
Debra A Smith for TROIB News
