Three Advanced IT Hardware Factories to Boost Local Manufacturing in India
In a significant boost to the 'Make in India' initiative, contract manufacturing firm Zetwerk has officially announced a partnership with Bengaluru-based electronics manufacturing services company, Smile Electronics, to establish three new IT hardware production factories in India. This strategic move aims to enhance local manufacturing capabilities and support the country’s growing demand for advanced electronics.
The first of these factories, located in Devanahalli near Bengaluru, features fully automated production lines designed for assembling, testing, and packing a range of products including desktops, laptops, energy meters, and remote controls. The remaining two factories will be set up in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, further expanding the production footprint across the country.
Harish Kohli, Managing Director of Acer India, inaugurated the Devanahalli facility and underscored the collaboration’s alignment with the 'Make in India' initiative. Kohli emphasized the critical role of local manufacturing and innovation in advancing the initiative’s goals.
Zetwerk has pledged an investment of Rs 1,000 crore to develop Electronics System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) capabilities within India. The company has highlighted the use of advanced technology, such as automated screen-printing and placement machines, which enable efficient production with a capacity of 0.75 million components per hour.
Mukesh Gupta, Chairman of Smile Electronics, noted that their 750 skilled employees manage a diverse portfolio, handling both low-mix, high-volume and high-mix, low-volume production needs. Smile is a beneficiary of the government's IT hardware Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes 1.0 and 2.0.
Rahul Sharma, Co-Founder of Zetwerk, praised the partnership as a reflection of the supportive business environment created by progressive government policies. Zetwerk also operates four factories in northern India, focusing on mobile phones, telecom devices, and other electronics. Josh Foulger, President of Zetwerk Electronics, added that the new facilities will bolster Smile’s capabilities in key sectors like aerospace, defence, automotive, and consumer electronics.
