Samsung Boosts ‘Make In India’ Play With Laptop Production

SUMMARY

The laptops are assembled at Samsung’s factory in Greater Noida, where it makes feature phones, smartphones, tablets and wearable devices

Samsung’s maiden batch of locally manufactured laptops has already hit the Indian market, with further production expansion in the pipeline

The foray into laptop manufacturing in India emerged first in September 2023, with a capacity of producing around 60,000–70,000 units annually

After smartphones, Korean electronics major Samsung has now expanded its “Make in India” initiative by locally manufacturing laptops in the country.

A Times Now report said that the laptops are assembled at Samsung’s factory in Greater Noida, where the company already makes feature phones, smartphones, tablets and wearable devices.

Samsung’s maiden batch of locally manufactured laptops has already hit the Indian market, with further production expansion in the pipeline, the report further said, citing sources close to the matter.

Backed by the ‘Make in India’ initiative, Samsung is ramping up its production capacity.

Inc42 has reached out to Samsung for comments on the development. The story will be updated based on its response.

In a separate PTI report, a source told the news agency that the Korean electronics giant has plans to start manufacturing more devices in India.

This follows soon after the meeting among IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Samsung Southwest Asia president and chief executive JB Park, along with Samsung Southwest Asia corporate vice president SP Chun, signalling the company’s greater commitment to strengthening its ties with India and aligning with the government’s domestic production push, the PTI report added.

When it comes to laptops, brands such as Dell, HP, ASUS and Lenovo hold a strong grip on the electronics market, while Samsung is yet to expand its consumer reach.

The buzz around Samsung’s foray into laptop manufacturing in India emerged first in September 2023, with reports suggesting that the company’s Noida unit would house a dedicated laptop unit capable of producing around 60,000–70,000 units annually.

‘Make In India’ Reshaping Manufacturing Landscape

The “Make In India” initiative targets lowering India’s import reliance while aiming to export fully indigenous smartphones and electronic devices, from semiconductors to finished goods.

In line with this push, the government was planning restrictions on laptop, tablet and personal computer imports starting January this year, aiming to drive global giants such as Apple, Dell and Lenovo to scale up domestic production in the $8–10 Bn industry.

Riding on the Centre’s “Make in India” initiative, Lenovo India MD Shailendra Katyal had said the company is set to double local production to 12 Mn laptops and smartphones in FY25 from 6.4 Mn units in the previous year.

Laptop Assembly Shifts Gear In India

Encouraged by government policies, particularly the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, many companies are investing in new or expanding laptop manufacturing units in India.

For instance, Noida-headquartered Dixon Technologies inked a pact with the Tamil Nadu government in April to build a laptop and personal computer manufacturing unit near Chennai with an investment of INR 1,000 Cr.

Reports from last December suggested that Tata Electronics was in talks with Microsoft, Dell and HP, among others, to boost its capabilities and establish itself as a fully integrated electronics manufacturer.

The consumer electronics sector in India has been gaining traction in the startup ecosystem, buoyed by EY’s projection that the homegrown electronics manufacturing services industry could evolve into an $80 Bn market by 2027.