India's Sahasra Semiconductor has strengthened its leadership team by appointing expatriate executive Jerry Enriquez as head of a new business unit, part of the company's strategy to tap into global talent for advancing innovation and growth in the fast-evolving semiconductor industry.
Managing Director Varun Manwani confirmed the appointment to Digitimes Asia, noting that Enriquez, who hails from the Philippines, brings considerable experience from major semiconductor firms, including On Semiconductor and Texas Instruments.
"For us to have an expat as part of our family is a proud moment," Manwani said, highlighting Sahasra Semiconductor's new ability to draw global talent, even as one of the smaller players in India's semiconductor sector.
The move reflects Sahasra's aim to integrate diverse expertise as it tackles India's rapidly growing semiconductor market, which is gaining appeal for international investment.
"These few people we are onboarding will be like booster shots to get things started faster," Manwani added, noting plans to recruit additional foreign nationals alongside Indian professionals returning from overseas.
Manwani views Enriquez's decision to join Sahasra as a testament to India's supportive policies and industry environment, which he says are making the country an increasingly compelling destination for semiconductor professionals worldwide.
Nearing completion of phase one
Sahasra Semiconductor is nearing the end of its initial operational phase, with significant progress reported in semiconductor development.
The company's project, structured into three phases, is on track to complete phase one by late November, Manwani said. This milestone will mark the installation and commissioning of critical equipment for Sahasra's front-end to back-end operations.
"We had planned for launch at certain dates in terms of production volume, and there have been some delays," Manwani said. "But we have made considerable progress, and by December, we will enter volume production for the LED driver IC."
Sahasra Semicon is on the verge of announcing customer partnerships for its LED driver IC and DFN (Dual Flat No-lead) IC products by year-end, a milestone that surpasses initial targets set for later phases.
"Most likely, by the end of November, we should be able to announce [the customer tie-ups]," Manwani added, expressing optimism about the company's pace.
As the firm readies to enter the second phase of its roadmap in March 2025, plans include upgrading to support higher-end packaging technologies, such as BGA (Ball Grid Array) for NAND flash and eMMC products. Sahasra also aims to bolster its in-house reliability and failure analysis capabilities during this phase.
With its rapid advancements, Sahasra's strategic efforts in India's semiconductor sector are being closely monitored by industry stakeholders and potential collaborators.
Expanding EMS outside Uttar Pradesh
Sahasra is expanding its Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) division with a new facility in Bhiwadi, set to open by December. The 160,000-square-foot plant, located next to the company's existing OSAT facility, will feature ten assembly lines and a reliability lab, marking Sahasra's first EMS site outside Uttar Pradesh.
The Bhiwadi plant will support Sahasra's EMS operations across sectors such as industrial electronics, medical devices, automotive, and railways while focusing on a broader range of industries beyond high-volume consumer electronics.
In October, Sahasra also formed a strategic alliance with Taiwan-based InnoCare Optoelectronics to manufacture and service FPDs (Flat Panel Detectors) used in X-ray equipment.
"We are in discussions with several customers, and as we go along, we will be making announcements," Manwani added, hinting at new EMS engagements in the near future.
With its expanded EMS capabilities and strategic partnerships, Sahasra aims to establish itself as a versatile solutions provider for both Indian and global electronics markets.
