Samsung trebles India handset output to 36 mn

Korean mobile phone major Samsung Electronics today said its production capacity in India has been trebled from today, following the commissioning of new facilities at its Noida manufacturing plant through an investment of approximately Rs 315 crore ($70 million).

"India is one of the top three mobile markets for Samsung in the world and we stand committed to this market and Indian consumers," Samsung President and CEO for South West Asia JS Shin said here.

"Given the strong potential of this market, we are working on consistently strengthening our presence in the country through a very innovative mobile portfolio, as well as enhance manufacturing, operations, research and development," he said.

Till yesterday, the production capacity of Samsung's mobile manufacturing plant in Noida was 12 million handsets per year, but following the commissioning of the new production facilities, the company's capacity is now 36 million handsets per annum.

"The company has invested $70 million, approximately, to enhance this capacity. With this, the total investment by Samsung in mobile production in India has reached close to $100 million," Samsung India Country Head - Mobile and IT Business Ranjit Yadav said.

According to various market research reports, Samsung's mobile phone business has grown steadily and it is now the second largest player in India in terms of the number of units it sells.

Yadav said on the back of the capacity expansion, the company has also hired 1,500 more people to work at its Noida plant, which takes the total headcount at the facility to 4,000.