MUMBAI, INDIA: Nokia today announced that its manufacturing facility at Sriperumbudur, Chennai has crossed production of 500 million handsets, marking a significant milestone for the company’s manufacturing operations in India and globally.

The milestone was achieved in five years of its operations, marking Chennai’s ramp-up among the fastest globally, said a press release.

“This is a very special milestone for Nokia’s Chennai manufacturing facility and we thank our employees for all their hard work and dedication. We have created a unique record across the world – this is not only a proud moment for us at Nokia, but a major highlight in India’s young and rising electronics manufacturing industry. This achievement only proves that with the right kind of organisation focus, employee contribution and government support, India can deliver world-class manufacturing standards and set new benchmarks”, said Prakash Katama, director - Chennai Factory Operations, Nokia India.

He added that among all global telecom companies, it was Nokia which first envisioned India as a destination for mobile phone manufacturing. With this milestone, India facility’s proven record of quality and fast time-to-market abilities will be strength for Nokia to leverage in future as well. The handsets manufactured here go to over 100 countries covering six continents including the Middle East and Africa, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, North America and Europe.

500th million phone is a Nokia C3-00

As part of its celebrations, Nokia announced that the 500th million phone – a Nokia C3-00 – will be specially autographed by Nokia’s brand ambassador Shahrukh Khan, and be available for auction through http://nokia500million.com.

Nokia will match the amount raised through the auction, and the total proceeds will be donated by Nokia to a charity. The auction will begin today and end on May 15, 2011.

Nokia was the first global telecom company to setup a plant in India to produce mobile phones, by starting the Chennai facility in January, 2006. The company has since then grown from a 550-member workforce to a strong 8,000 plus member workforce, among which 70 per cent are women.

Finnish handset-maker also said that it will soon introduce a 'dual sim'-enabled mobile phone in the Indian market,