US-based Corning Incorporated has partnered with domestic telecommunications player Optiemus Infra-com to setup Bharat Innovative Glass Technologies (BIG Tech), India’s first cover-glass manufacturing facility. This will be located in SIPCOT’s Pillaipakkam industrial park in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu. With an investment of about Rs 1003 crore and potential employment to 840 people, the plant will meet the growing manufacturer demand in India. An MoU for the proposed investment was signed between Ashok Kumar Gupta, Director, BIG Tech, and V Vishnu, MD and CEO, Guidance Tamil Nadu, in the presence of Chief Minister M K Stalin and Industries Secretary V Arun Roy.
“This joint venture with Optiemus Infracom demonstrates our shared commitment to bringing life-changing innovations to the Indian market and the world,” said David Velasquez, Vice President and General Manager of Corning Gorilla Glass.
Chief Minister MK Stalin also expressed pride in the new development stating, “Today’s groundbreaking not only marks a significant investment in our state’s industrial capabilities but also reinforces Tamil Nadu’s position as a hub for innovation and technological advancement. We are committed to supporting such ventures that create job opportunities and drive sustainable economic growth for the state and India.”
Corning joins Foxconn, Pegatron, Tata Electronics and Salcomp in becoming another major supplier to Apple Inc. Another contract supplier, Luxshare is expected to start operations from the old Motorola factory it acquired in 2021.
