Cisco has inaugurated its first manufacturing facility in India, located in Chennai, as part of a broader investment plan projected to generate over USD $1.3 billion annually from exports and domestic production. The facility, developed in collaboration with Flex (NASDAQ:FLEX), will initially focus on the production of Cisco’s Network Convergence System (NCS) 540 Series routers. This venture is expected to create approximately 1,200 jobs in Tamil Nadu.
“The inauguration of Cisco’s manufacturing facility in India producing advanced telecom equipment is a testament to the country’s growing Atmanirbharta in the global technology landscape. Certain that the factory will strengthen Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of becoming a global manufacturing hub and amplify the holistic growth of India’s telecom ecosystem,” said Jyotiraditya Scindia, Minister of Communications; and Minister of Development of North Eastern Region, Government of India.
The Chennai facility marks the first phase of a multiyear investment aimed at enhancing Cisco’s global manufacturing footprint. The site will also broaden the company’s supply chain to increase resilience and meet the growing demand for telecommunications infrastructure in India and abroad.
“India has been an important market for Cisco for nearly three decades, and we are immensely proud of our progress and partnerships here. The inauguration of a manufacturing facility in Chennai marks a significant advancement in our commitment to the region. This expansion not only deepens our presence in India, but also strengthens our partnerships with customers, partners, and the government. By delivering cutting-edge technology from this facility to our customers in India and across the globe, we are enhancing supply chain reliability and catalyzing innovation, both locally and globally,” said Chuck Robbins, Chair and CEO of Cisco.
Cisco’s partnership with Flex (NASDAQ: FLEX) spans 25 years, and this facility is part of their ongoing efforts to scale up manufacturing worldwide. Future phases of the investment plan include the production of advanced telecom components, such as multilayer printed circuit boards and industrial-grade products designed for challenging environmental conditions.
Officials from both Cisco and the Indian government, including representatives from the Ministry of Communications and the state of Tamil Nadu, were present at the facility’s inauguration.