As Keysight explores localization and diversification opportunities through its recently inaugurated manufacturing facility in Chennai, India, ELE Times sat down with Mr Sudhir Tangri, Vice President & General Manager Asia Pacific, Keysight Technologies, and Takuya Furata, Senior Director Global Marketing, Asia Pacific, Keysight Technologies, to understand the nuances of the initiative and what Keysight is looking for in India now that its manufacturing facility is operational!
Keysight’s vision for its manufacturing facility and its integration within its global strategy are thoroughly examined. Sudhir Tangri highlights the significance of commencing manufacturing operations in India as a pivotal moment for Keysight’s presence in the region. The discussion delves into the comprehensive nature of the manufacturing process, from component sourcing to end-to-end production, underscoring the company’s commitment to quality and innovation. Moreover, the conversation emphasizes the value a manufacturing facility brings to Keysight India, aligning with the company’s core principle of prioritizing proximity to customers. This strategic move reflects Keysight’s enduring dedication to customer-centric practices, a principle that has guided the company’s trajectory over the past four to five decades.
Why A Manufacturing plant in India?
As the world witnessed the challenges of consolidated supply chains and consequential shortages following the COVID-19 pandemic, it was high time for companies to think about diversification across the supply chain, right from design to procurement and shipping. The case is the same with Keysight. “To diversify our global supply chains,” says Sudhir Tangri, referring to the reason for expansion.
Coming to India, Takuya Furata says, “India is not just leading, it is probably number one when it comes to a lot of indexes as well, so it’s growing, and our business is growing strongly in India as well.” Further, he adds, “So to be closer to the customers of the fastest-growing economy is a natural choice because we look into the future.” Tracing the history of Keysight’s plants in Japan and the USA, they were eventually moved to get closer to the customer as Keysight’s market expanded.
Global Impact of India Plant
Reflecting on the global impact of the newly inaugurated plant, Takuya Furata says, “Not just India, but within Asia, having two different manufacturing sites will benefit a lot of Asian customers for sure.” As demand picks up in Asia, Keysight is focused on derisking from one single manufacturing site in Asia to better support its customers across the continent.
“Looking over the entire Asia, this is such a happy moment because that’s going to add another value to the Asian customer,” adds Takuya Furata as he underlines the global impact of the facility, considering Asia’s geographical vicinity to India. This would largely mean smaller turnaround times, smaller manufacturing lifecycles, and easier procurement for the Keysight customers in Asia.
Challenges
While referring to the potential challenges of having a manufacturing facility in India, he says, “The priority right now is to stabilize and mature the manufacturing operations that we have started.” On the same lines, Takuya Furata talks about how worldwide companies must cross Day 01 to reach the next phase of production, Day 02, to make their efforts a success. He says, “If you don’t clear Day 01, there is no Day Two, right? So, it’s imperative for the entire team, at Keysight here and the Keysight team, to make this successful.”
One-of-a-Kind Dynamic
With the inauguration of the manufacturing facility in Chennai, Keysight India becomes the first T&M company in India to have its own manufacturing facility, which desirably puts Keysight into an entirely distinct segment of T&M companies in India. Reacting to the development along with a long-held dream of high-end manufacturing on Indian ground, Sudhir Tangri calls it a “surreal thing” unfolding before his eyes.
