India Commonwealth) _ Corning Inc, the world’s leading manufacturer of smartphone cover glass, plans to start producing the product in India by the end of 2024 through a joint venture with Noida-based contract manufacturer Optiemus Infracom Ltd dubbed Bharat Innovation Glass Technologies.
For the first time, cover glass will be manufactured in India for both domestic and foreign OEMs that assemble their devices there. The technique is scalable and can be scaled up to handle increased supply. It is compatible with the government’s Make in India agenda, said John Bayne, senior vice president and general manager, mobile consumer electronics at Corning Inc. on Thursday.
He stated that the company’s choice to produce in India was directly tied to the company’s objective of diversifying supply chains and shifting some manufacturing away from China.
During covid, the globe discovered it was unduly reliant on certain places, and a bit more variety would definitely assist merely as a backup to avoid circumstances like [the pandemic], natural catastrophes, or if a country shuts down. So you’ve seen individuals diversify in different Asian nations, and our objective is to be near to our clients, he explained.
The JV intends to produce 30 million units in India during the first phase of production, which will employ 500-1000 workers. The parties are currently in talks with state governments, including those of Tamil Nadu and Telangana, in order to secure land for the factory.
Corning, best known for its ‘Gorilla Glass,’ said the JV was thinking about applying for financial incentives to manufacture electrical components and semiconductors.
With this joint company, Optiemus Infracom will diversify into glass-cover production, with a 30% share. Currently, the firm manufactures laptops, tablets, telecom equipment such as routers, and hearables and wearables for a variety of companies.
Cover glass, a key component in the manufacture of mobile phones, is now imported into India for lamination with display panels. Bayne predicted that the company’s decision to establish local production will encourage other firms to do the same.
The JV will strive to deliver the component at the same quality and price while saving money on logistics and shipping. Corning intends to bring glass-sheet production and glass melting capacity to India once it has reached scale.
Corning Incorporated is a global technology firm based in the United States that specializes in specialized glass, ceramics, and related materials and technologies such as sophisticated optics, principally for industrial and scientific purposes. Corning Glass Works was the company’s name until 1989. Corning sold the Corning Consumer Products Company division (now known as Corelle Brands) to Borden in 1998, divesting its consumer product lines (including CorningWare and Visions Pyroceram-based cookware, Corelle Vitrelle dinnerware, and Pyrex glass bakeware).
Corning is a major supplier to Apple Inc. Corning has developed and manufactured Gorilla Glass, which is utilized by numerous smartphone manufacturers, since partnering with Steve Jobs in 2007 to produce the iPhone. It is one of the world’s largest glass manufacturers. Corning received four National Medals of Technology and Innovation for product and process advancements.
Corning’s operations are constantly developing in order to better serve clients, industries, and consumers. Life sciences, mobile consumer electronics, optical communications, display, and automotive sectors are all being accelerated and transformed by the firm. We are transforming the world by providing trusted products that expedite medicine research, development, and delivery to save lives; damage-resistant cover glass to improve the gadgets that keep us connected; and optical fiber, wireless technology, Precision glass for sophisticated displays to give better experiences, as well as auto glass and ceramics to drive cleaner, safer, and smarter transportation. Corning employs around 61,200 people worldwide and expects to generate $14.08 billion in revenues in 2021.For many years, the firm has been featured among Fortune magazine’s 500 biggest corporations, and in 2015, it was rated #297.
