Apple is making some internal changes as it reportedly reorganizes management to place a greater emphasis on sales in India.
Key Details
- The company reorganization will be the first time that India is its own sales region on Apple’s map. The country has seen an increase in product sales.
- While the restructuring hasn’t been officially announced, sources told Bloomberg that India is increasingly prominent in Apple’s focus.
- Apple’s vice president of India, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, East Europe, and Africa, Hugues Asseman, recently retired, leaving room for the company to reorganize.
- Ashish Chowdhary, who previously reported to Asseman, is reportedly being promoted to head of India and will report directly to the head of sales Michael Fenger, Bloomberg reports.
Why it’s news
Though Apple’s overall sales declined 5% last quarter, the company reported record revenue in India. Currently, Indian customers can only order products through Apple’s online store, but the tech giant has plans to open retail outlets in India later this year.
During the most recent earnings call, CEO Tim Cook said that Apple is placing “a lot of emphasis on the market.” He also compared the company’s current presence in India to Apple’s early years in China.
China is currently Apple’s most significant sales region after the Americas and Europe, bringing in around $75 billion per year. China has also historically been a manufacturing center for Apple, but the company has been moving its manufacturing outside China.
India is quickly becoming a key component of Apple’s product development. Apple is working alongside manufacturing company Foxconn to develop new iPhone manufacturing facilities in India. Other vital suppliers are also moving to the country, Bloomberg reports.