Samsung Expands ‘Make in India’ Drive with Laptop Manufacturing at Greater Noida Plant

Samsung Electronics has taken a significant step in strengthening its presence in India by beginning laptop production at its Greater Noida facility. The move not only marks the company’s expansion in the Indian market but also underscores the government’s broader vision under the Make in India initiative, aimed at boosting local manufacturing and reducing dependence on imports.

The Greater Noida plant has been a cornerstone of Samsung’s operations since 1996, assembling feature phones, smartphones, tablets, and wearables for nearly three decades. The introduction of laptops adds a new dimension to this legacy, highlighting India’s emergence as a critical hub in Samsung’s global production network.

Samsung has started its laptop manufacturing at the company's Greater Noida factory in India.(Bloomberg) | LiveMint

Government Backing and Strategic Engagement

Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, recently met senior Samsung officials, including JB Park, President & CEO of Southwest Asia, and SP Chun, Corporate Vice President. Praising the company’s expansion, the minister described the development as a natural outcome of India’s “talent and innovation.” He emphasized that the government’s policies are creating an environment where global giants like Samsung feel confident to diversify their manufacturing base in India.

This collaboration between the Indian government and global companies is part of a larger push to make India self-reliant in electronics manufacturing. As the country continues to attract major investment in semiconductors, IT hardware, and consumer electronics, Samsung’s decision to add laptops to its production portfolio is strategically significant.

Production Capacity and Market Potential

Industry reports suggest that Samsung’s new laptop production line at Greater Noida will manufacture between 60,000 and 70,000 units annually. This may seem modest compared to its massive smartphone output—over 120 million units a year—but it positions Samsung to gradually build a stronger presence in India’s competitive laptop market.

In smartphones, Samsung is already the second-largest player in India by volume and value, while it also holds a 15% share in the tablet market. Laptops, however, represent new territory. With competitors like HP, Dell, Lenovo, and Acer leveraging India’s Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to expand their operations, Samsung’s independent move reflects its long-term confidence in India’s domestic market and workforce.

Economic and Strategic Implications

The benefits of local laptop manufacturing are multi-fold. By reducing its reliance on imports from China and Vietnam, Samsung can cut down on logistics costs and import duties, allowing it to offer more competitive pricing for Indian consumers. At the same time, the expansion is expected to generate jobs and contribute to skill development in India’s growing electronics workforce.

Furthermore, Samsung’s strategy fits within the wider transformation of India’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem. Projects such as Dixon Technologies’ investments in laptop and PC assembly and the upcoming HCL-Foxconn semiconductor plant near Noida’s Jewar airport highlight how India is building a complete electronics value chain. Samsung’s expansion strengthens this ecosystem and signals confidence in India’s ability to support large-scale, high-tech production.

Conclusion: A Step Towards Self-Reliance

Samsung’s decision to start laptop production in India represents more than just a business expansion. It reflects the broader ambition of India’s Make in India campaign—to transform the country into a global manufacturing powerhouse. By choosing to manufacture laptops locally, Samsung has not only deepened its ties with India but also set an example for other multinational companies to follow.

While challenges remain in scaling up India’s manufacturing sector beyond its current 15–16% share of GDP, initiatives like these highlight the country’s progress. As Samsung diversifies its portfolio in India, the move could serve as a catalyst for further investments in electronics and semiconductors, helping India inch closer to its goal of becoming a global electronics hub.

(Sources: OpIndia, LiveMint, Economic Times)