India's Kaynes Semiconductor has aligned with a major anchor customer in the power domain, focusing on IGBT (Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistor) and IPM (Intelligent Power Module) products for the industrial and automotive markets, the company said.
This anchor customer relationship involves a proof of concept starting with low volume and then scaling up to high volume production as Kaynes Semicon looks to establish a strong foothold in the power electronics segment, CEO Raghu Panicker confirmed.
The company, a fully owned subsidiary under Kaynes Electronics, is yet to reveal more details about the customer.
Partnership with Mitsui and others
The company has also partnered with Japanese conglomerate Mitsui to secure raw materials - gases and chemicals, etc. - for its new semiconductor project site.
"Our partnership with Mitsui is a crucial component of our technology roadmap and efforts to build a robust semiconductor ecosystem in India," said Panicker. "Leveraging Mitsui's expertise and resources will help us establish the necessary infrastructure to support our manufacturing operations."
Beyond this, Kaynes Semicon is also working on proof-of-concept projects with several startups and emerging companies, such as Light Speed Photonics, in the semiconductor domain.
These collaborations suggest the Indian firm is actively engaging with the startup ecosystem to support innovative technologies and applications.
"Our diverse customer base, ranging from large multinationals to dynamic startups, reflects our ability to serve the evolving needs of the semiconductor industry, both in India and globally," Panicker said.
The company is also in discussions with a leading global memory chip vendor to provide packaging services out of its facilities, signaling its ambitions to cater to large established semiconductor players as well.
Joining hands with Siemens
Kaynes has also forged a significant partnership with global industrial software giant Siemens to enhance its system and package design capabilities, Panicker added.
Under the collaboration, Kaynes will be utilizing Siemens' latest Mentor Graphics tools for critical semiconductor design processes, including package design and system design.
"Our partnership with Siemens allows us to leverage their industry-leading design solutions to strengthen our semiconductor manufacturing capabilities," Panicker said.
To ensure effective implementation, Kaynes is providing training to its R&D and system design teams on the Siemens/Mentor Graphics tools, equipping its engineers with the necessary expertise.
One of the key outcomes of this collaboration is Kaynes' implementation of a robust Design for Manufacturing (DFM) solution. Using the Siemens/Mentor Graphics platform, the company can now run DFM checks on customer designs before manufacturing, identifying potential issues early in the process.
"The DFM solution we have implemented with Siemens has been a game-changer, allowing us to provide valuable feedback to our customers and ensure a smoother manufacturing process," Panicker added.
Kaynes' expertise in leveraging the Siemens/Mentor Graphics tools was recently showcased at Keysight's industry roadshows in Chennai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad, where the company delivered a tutorial on its DFM implementation.
Skill training initiatives continue
Kaynes and its talent solutions partner Perceptive Solutions are spearheading a collaborative effort to build a skilled workforce for the country's growing semiconductor industry, the companies announced last week.
As part of this initiative, Perceptive Solutions has worked closely with Kaynes Semicon to implement various training programs, including partnerships with academic institutions like Sahasra University and SRM University.
"Developing a robust talent pipeline is crucial for the success of the semiconductor ecosystem in India," said Bhanupriya K, MD of Perceptive Solutions. "Our collaboration with Kaynes aims to create industry-ready professionals who can support the growth of this strategic sector."
One of the key focus areas is an online course or program being launched by Perceptive Solutions for the entire state of Gujarat, where Kaynes is setting up a new facility. The program will provide initial training to students at a minimal fee, with Perceptive Solutions then selecting 50 candidates for placement.
Additionally, both Kaynes and Perceptive Solutions are part of larger workforce development programs supported by the Ministry of Electronics and the Ministry of IT, underscoring the industry-government collaboration to address the talent needs of the semiconductor sector.
"Our partnership with Perceptive Solutions is a crucial component of our strategy to build a sustainable talent pool for the semiconductor industry in India," said Panicker. "Together, we are committed to developing skilled professionals who can drive innovation and support the country's semiconductor ambitions."
