In a significant development for India’s technology and manufacturing sectors, Union Minister of Communications and Electronics & IT Ashwini Vaishnaw inaugurated a state-of-the-art Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Line at VVDN Technologies in Manesar on Tuesday. The event marked a major step towards India’s goal of becoming a global leader in producing high-tech telecom equipment.
Telit Cinterion’s CEO Paolo Dal Pino was present along with VVDN executives during the inauguration. The decision of the company, headquartered in California, to join hands with Indian player VVDN is a testament to the country’s growing technology industry. It opens new avenues for Telit to expand its business reach and models into data and intelligent edge solutions while embracing the “Design and Make in India” approach.
VVDN, a global provider specialising in manufacturing 4G and 5G connectivity modules and data cards for Telit Cinterion, boasts a unique competitive advantage through integrated design and manufacturing for high-tech products. Their vertical integration strategy encompasses PCB assembly, mechanical engineering, tooling, molding, die casting, complete product testing and certification, enabling the mass production of cutting-edge electronic products.
Telecom Growth
Vaishnaw expressed pride in India’s accomplishments in the telecom sector, particularly highlighting the successful rollout of 5G technology. He emphasised that India’s engineering talent and manufacturing capabilities have earned recognition globally.
“Numerous companies are eager to manufacture in India due to the country’s robust design capabilities and supportive government policies. India is increasingly perceived as a trusted value chain partner, with its combination of design and manufacturing skills,” he told News18.
The newly inaugurated SMT Line will maintain six Sigma quality standards and feature a Class 8 clean room, setting it apart as a facility dedicated to excellence. Vaishnaw asserted: “We will ensure that India emerges as a major telecom design, innovation, and manufacturing base.”
Role of PLI in Telecom Sector’s Growth
India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for promoting telecom and networking product manufacturing has been instrumental in fostering growth.
Vaishnaw said the scheme has already attracted investments of Rs 2,419 crore, exports have reached Rs 7,600 crore, and the employment supported by these units currently stands at 17,753. This growth trend is expected to continue, with projections of close to Rs 4,000 crore in global investment, 44,000 employment opportunities, and Rs 2,37,000 crore in total sales within the next few years.
Vaishnaw noted with pride that India has begun exporting telecom equipment to several countries, including the US, UK, Netherlands, France, Spain, Austria, UAE, Japan, and others.
Telit’s Collaboration with VVDN Technologies
Puneet Agarwal, CEO at VVDN Technologies, elaborated on their collaboration with Telit, explaining that they will export printed circuit boards (PCBs) to Telit, which will incorporate these modules into various products for customers worldwide. These modules will be utilized in creating final products, including IoT devices, WiFi and 5G products, and industrial equipment.
Agarwal highlighted the complexity of manufacturing these modules in India and the importance of enabling IoT capabilities. The collaboration between VVDN and Telit is expected to open opportunities for thousands of customers to utilise these modules and produce final products. “It not only strengthens the VVDN-Telit partnership but also positions India as a preferred destination for further development and manufacturing,” he said.
VVDN Technologies, known for its inclusive policies, employs more than 10,000 individuals, with over 70 per cent of them being women. Agarwal stated that the company believes in the talent of women employees and their commitment to empowering women in India’s workforce. Hence, in future too, they will continue to hire more women.
Dal Pino, CEO of Telit, explained the rationale behind selecting VVDN as a partner. He emphasised the need for local expertise and cost competitiveness, stating that VVDN’s entrepreneurial spirit and local capabilities made them the ideal partner. Dal Pino also expressed his confidence in India’s potential to become a global manufacturing hub for high-tech products.
He told News18: “India already is a fantastic hub for software in the world and we do believe that India is on the right path for becoming the manufacturing hub in the world for high-tech products. India has young people who are very well-trained and there is a lot of enthusiasm. We trust that this is a country that is at the start of the big tech revolution and industrial revolution.”
Source: News18