Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Friday inaugurated a landmark manufacturing facility for Bharat Innovative Glass Technologies (Bigtech) a joint venture between US-glass giant Corning and India’s Optiemus. The ₹1,003 crore plant located in the SIPCOT Industrial Park in Kancheepuram will produce Corning Gorilla Glass for smartphones marking a significant addition to the state’s high-tech manufacturing ecosystem.
Speaking at the event, CM Stalin directly appealed to Corning’s leadership to prioritize high-quality, high-value job creation for Tamil Nadu’s youth, mirroring the company’s global standards. He highlighted the state’s business-friendly environment, crediting its speed and transparency for attracting global confidence.
“Electronics Capital of India” Backed by Data
The Chief Minister presented compelling data to reinforce Tamil Nadu’s leading position:
- #1 in Electronics Exports: $14.65 billion, contributing 41% of India’s total electronics exports.
- Exponential Growth: A nine-fold increase in electronics exports over the past four years.
- Strategic Policy: The launch of an electronic components manufacturing initiative to localize the entire value chain from design to production.
A Vision for a Pan-State Electronics Hub.
Stalin outlined a strategic geographical vision noting that global electronics giants are now established from Kancheepuram and Hosur to Coimbatore, Trichy and Tirunelveli. As the next step the state is developing an Electronics Manufacturing Cluster in Thoothukudi leveraging its port connectivity and invited investors to anchor future projects there.
The inauguration was attended by senior state officials Corning leadership including Vice President Andrew Beck and Pankaj Mohindroo Chairman of the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA).
This facility is more than a factory; it is a strategic milestone that brings a critical, high-value component of the smartphone supply chain to India directly strengthening Tamil Nadu’s claim as the nation’s undisputed electronics manufacturing hub.