Cisco inaugurated its first manufacturing facility in India on Friday, located in Chennai. This initiative marks the beginning of a multi-year investment strategy aimed at enhancing the company’s production capabilities in the region.
The new facility is expected to generate over USD 1.3 billion annually through combined exports and domestic production. It is anticipated to create approximately 1,200 jobs in Tamil Nadu, further boosting the local economy.
Cisco has partnered with Flex to develop and expand this manufacturing site, which will initially focus on producing the Network Convergence System (NCS) 540 Series of routers. Cisco emphasized that this state-of-the-art facility will manufacture a variety of high-quality routing and switching products to address the increasing technological demands of organizations in India and worldwide.
The facility’s inauguration was attended by Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Chuck Robbins, Chair and CEO of Cisco, and Daisy Chittilapilly, President of Cisco India and SAARC, alongside other state and local officials. This event represents a significant milestone in Cisco’s global manufacturing expansion, according to a company release.
Cisco highlighted its collaboration with Flex in building this Chennai site, which aims to enhance telecom technology and connectivity for citizens in India and beyond. This project marks a critical step in the 25-year partnership between Cisco and Flex, focusing on accelerating manufacturing with agility, resilience, and sustainable practices.
Initially, the facility will focus on the NCS 540 Series of routers, serving as the first phase of Cisco’s extensive investment plan. Future phases will involve substantial innovations and technical advancements. These include the assembly of printed circuit boards with multiple layers and products that require numerous individual components, along with industrial-grade products designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions.
Through this initiative, Cisco aims to expand its manufacturing capabilities, catering to a wider range of customers and market segments while reinforcing its commitment to India.
