U.S. MNC to set up its unit at Manapparai SIPCOT industrial park

Jabil Inc, a multinational corporation based in the U.S. that supplies electronic components to Apple, Cisco, HP, and Dell and so on, is all set to establish its factory in Tiruchi at the State Industrial Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) industrial park near Manapparai on the Tiruchi-Dindigul Highway.

It was with the intention of providing land at on long-term lease, the State government issued a G.O. in 2013 to set up an industrial park in Tiruchi district. After a long process of land acquisition, the SIPCOT acquired 1,096.36 acres of land at Kannudaiyanpatti, K. Periyapatti, and Chatrapatti near Manapparai. It developed basic infrastructure and all the menities such as road, electricity lines and drinking water pipelines at the industrial park. It began receiving applications for the allotment of sites in 2019.

Of the 1,096 acres, the State government earmarked 131.92 acres to Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO). The SIPCOT is now allotting sites to the industries. At least 15 companies have been allocated sites at SIPCOT industrial park. A few more companies have evinced interest to set up their plants at the park.

Soon after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the officials of the State government during the visit of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to the U.S. in September 2024, a team from Jabil Inc visited the SIPCOT park. The company was said to be looking for about 70 acres of land to set up an electronics manufacturing unit with an investment of ₹2,000 crore. The team studied various facilities and infrastructure at the park.

The location of the park, its connectivity, including easy access to ports in Tiruchi, Thoothukudi, Kochi, and Karaikal, availability of 5-Star hotels in Tiruchi, recreation and sports facilities, including golf, were taken into consideration by the team. It held a few rounds of talks with the senior officials before taking the proposal forward. Now, the stage is set for signing an agreement for land allotment at the SIPCOT industrial park.

Confirming the development, a senior official told The Hindu that an announcement was expected anytime in February. It would be a great boost to Tiruchi.

If this proposal goes through, it will be the first big ticket investment by an MNC at the SIPCOT industrial park in Manapparai, providing employment to about 5,000 people.