Finnish Handset company HMD Global plans to export made-in-India smartphones & feature phones to Europe and the US.
Thus, boosting to its strategy to utilize India as a manufacturing hub. Already, the company has begun the shipment to the markets of Middle east and Africa.
Earlier just two years ago, the company began export of feature phones from Indian contract’s facilities of manufacturing partners, which are authorized under the PLI scheme. In its wing, it has also included Nokia brand G42 smartphone.
Currently, the HMD has sent 2 million units from India. In future, it wants to increase the export by 4 million in coming year end of 2025.
Speaking to Moneycontrol, HMD Global owner Jean-Francois Baril said ‘It will naturally go to Europe, and we are considering the US. This will happen step by step. “Manufacturing is a big thing that we are consolidating. We are very optimistic about this. Manufacturing is my own background, and I am recognised for that in the industry. We started exports with G42 smartphones, and India is now the manufacturing hub for our own branded HMD Crest smartphones.’
Moreover, he also said that government policies are very encouraging and friendly. It can help the company in boosting the exports. Moreover, the founder also emphasized, that India is increasingly becoming competitive for handset manufacturing.
Meanwhile in the company, the production consists of 70 percent feature phones and 30 percent smartphones. This happens via its partnership with electronics manufacturing service provider Dixon Technologies.
In order to boost its capacity, HMD is set to collaborate with Zetwerk’s subsidiary Zet Town India.
In addition, this finnish company is also focusing on the promotion of its brand in the Indian market. Strategically, it aims to revive its presence in the market as since the launch in 2016, it is struggling.
Just previous year in August, HMD revised its agreement with Nokia. Hence, decreasing the use of Nokia brand in smartphones and preserving exclusively for feature phones.
Through this manner, the company is aiming to outcompete the Chinese brands in both Indian and overseas market. But the company will continue to utilize brand of Nokia for feature phone, as it maintains a stronger recall in market’s lower end.
