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Educational Options to enter EMS Industry

March 16, 2023
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The electronics manufacturing services (EMS) industry in India has been growing rapidly over the past few years, and the growth rate is expected to continue in the future. According to a report by Research And Markets, the Indian EMS market was valued at USD 35.4 billion in 2020, and it is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.8% from 2021 to 2026. Any growing industry also needs skilled people to aid its growth.

A good vocational education program is a great way to start in the EMS industry

An electronics manufacturing services (EMS) company typically employs a range of professionals with different skills and expertise.

Manufacturing engineers responsible for optimising the manufacturing process and designing production systems.
Quality Control Engineers who inspect products, conduct tests and implement quality control procedures to ensure that products are manufactured to specifications.
Supply Chain Managers and Logistics Co-ordinators who work with suppliers to ensure on time delivery and manage inventory levels for production schedules.
Assemblers / Technicians: This role is the backbone of the industry and many who move on to quality control and supply chain management, make their start as assemblers / technicians.

Getting a start in this sunrise industry requires a combination of education and practical training. For students or even those who are mid-career, wondering what will help you, here are a few thing to consider:

Get a Technical degree: This is the best option for students who are still planning their education. Pursuing a degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, or a related technical field can provide a strong foundation for a career in EMS. These degree programs typically cover topics such as circuit design, digital electronics, microcontrollers, and power electronics.
Join a Vocational training program: Vocational training programs, such as those offered by ITI’s or trade specific orgalisations like Electronics Sector Skill Council, can provide hands-on training in electronics manufacturing. These programs may cover topics such as soldering, PCB assembly, and quality control. Vocational training programs can sometimes be regarded as less prestigious but there is no parallel to the practical learning they offer and their grounded and quick start to careers.
Certifications: Obtaining industry certifications, such as IPC-A-610 (Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies) and IPC-J-STD-001 (Requirements for Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies), can demonstrate expertise in specific areas of electronics manufacturing and can be very valuable.
Internships or apprenticeships: Participating in an internship or apprenticeship program with an EMS company can provide valuable on-the-job training and help you gain practical experience in electronics manufacturing. Podrain has been offering paid internships since inception. Some of our interns go back to studying but many move on to working with us or other peers in the EMS industry

Overall, a combination of technical education, hands-on training, and industry certifications can help prepare you for a successful career in Electronics Manufacturing Services.

For more information on careers at Podrain write check our website and write to us as [email protected]

Note: Post generated with assistance from ChatGPT3

Access to capital: the Msme money maze

November 16, 2021
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The government’s Make in India strategy demonstrates how important MSMEs are to India’s growth story, but capital is still hard to get. If you are considering launching a startup, here are some things to keep in mind:

KEEP FRIENDS, FAMILY AND FOREIGN FUNDS CLOSE

Most credit schemes are aimed at MSMEs that are at least three years old. If your company is newer, informal sources like family and friends must be part of your fundraising strategy. Quite often, this means looking abroad for help. Even if you are looking at a VC / PE funding, the Indian ecosystem is in its infancy and you are likely to go beyond India’s borders. But this can lead to a problem. Indian financial institutions need at least 75% Indian ownership to qualify you for most of their loan products. This is intended to encourage Indian entrepreneurs, but as a startup that might be considering all options for support – make sure foreign investors hold less than 25%.

CAUTION: COLLATERAL AHEAD!

Typically, financial institutions ask for collateral that equals (or exceeds) the loan amount. This can be a term deposit or a mortgage on your home. Indian financial organizations are very cautious about lending. Read the loan terms carefully and include all supporting documentation with your application.

PLEASE MIND THE GAP

The Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI ) was established to bring MSMEs and capital together. This is excellent news for MSMEs but the execution is not perfect. Rules can be unclear and confusing. Decision-making does not always follow the on-paper criteria. If your application is rejected, you may not know why.

Government schemes to support MSMEs working on Covid-19-related projects face similar challenges. Companies that qualify for credit on paper may still be rejected without an explanation.

WHAT CAN CHANGE

Podrain’s experience has taught us that patience is key. It also helps to have an experienced, trusted financial advisor or mentor who understands the options and provides guidance on processes and documentation. Some signposts and directions from financial institutions will make navigating easier.

MSMEs should be able to quickly and easily understand what each regulator is responsible for. Clearly stated eligibility rules for each scheme and a simple explanation of the risks and benefits of each option will help entrepreneurs who are not always financial experts make the right choice. A single-window approach to clearances will make MSMEs’ search for capital much easier. Regulators can also help to match MSMEs with the right funding source for their needs. We can then rely on financial institutions and their lending officers for guidance on the right capital products and schemes.

Financial institutions also need to look beyond traditional collateral-based criteria. Very often these show only the borrower’s existing financial strength and not the intent to repay. To help new MSMEs get started, lenders may consider performance-based criteria to approve loans. For example, whether a startup pays its employees’ salaries, its taxes, and its statutory dues (GST, PF, etc.) on time is a good indication of its intent to pay. Market-based criteria used by PE/VC funds may also be used with modifications that reflect the lower risk appetite of the lender. These forward-looking strategies are consistent with the idea of financial institutions as partners in the Indian MSME growth story.

By adopting a partnership mindset, financial institutions can make capital more easily accessible to MSMEs who want to Make in India.

SiliconIndia Article

September 1, 2021
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Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) constitute an integral part of many (expensive) electronic devices. The costs of failure of undertaking a full production run without adequate testing of the PCB are

very high. The ideal answer is a strong prototyping process which can help in identifying any design or performance issues. However, finding the right Electronic Manufacturing Service (EMS) partner for this early stage where volumes are small and the turnaround needs to be quick can be challenging.

Podrain Electronics, unlike other EMS providers ca- ters to this niche market of prototyping on small volume. Having high-end machines to build and test PCBA’s, Podrain caters to the complete needs and requirements of the customer. The company specializes in the supply of products with a fast turnaround without compromising on the rigor of testing. The typical customers for Podrain’s prototyping services are Start-ups and hardware design companies. “Prototyping needs us to be very flexible,” explains Shyam Chandran, CEO of Podrain Electronics. “We work most Sundays. There was one occasion when a client came in at 8 PM in the evening, wanting some- thing to be ready for a VC presentation the next day. We worked overnight. While we charge a higher price for such a quick ask, the result for our client can be priceless”, adds Shyam. The company has expertise in delivering complex assembly – BGA, PoP, LGA and other new modules that are introduced in the market. Podrain has the capability to assemble thin as well as flexible PCBs.

“Podrain Electronics caters to the niche market of prototyping on small volume.”

Rajesh Rajagopal, Director of Operations says, “We are seeing a trend for slimmer devices overall. One of our builds was for a smartwatch prototype for a leading Indi- an brand determined to deliver a world class product. We had to assemble a PCB of 0.4 mm thickness with a 0.2 mm BGA package. We constantly invest in keeping up our learning so that we can deliver the type of cutting edge products our clients design. We love this challenge

Shyam and Rajesh have both been in the EMS space for over 20 years with different organizations. They met while working for an EMS company in 2013. They put together the idea of Podrain Electronics specifically to cater to a gap they saw – an engaged EMS willing to work in the prototyping space using the type of high-end machines that the final manufacturing process will involve. In the past 3 years they have found many takers for these services. Shyam takes care of the business side, while Rajesh manages the technical and operations aspects.

The duo has big plans. Podrain is ISO 9001:2015 certified. The company has continued to invest in new- er machines including an X-Ray inspection machine. In addition to PCB assembly, Podrain does complete box build assembly. A set of reliable partners supply the plas- tic enclosures, sheet metal and cable harnesses which are then assembled, tested and packed out of Podrain. They are also doing evaluation kits for silicon chips for leading semi-conductor manufacturers.

The prototypes the company has partnered on are maturing into higher volumes and clients are requesting pro- duction support. The current location in Bommanahalli is just off the ORR and close to the start-up hubs of Koramangala, HSR Layout, Indiranagar, Jayanagar etc. But it’s pretty full. “We need to grow to keep up with our clients. We hope to start a bigger production facility in the near future. Perhaps in Electronic City, Bengaluru”, says Shy- am. And what about the original prototyping idea? Shyam further adds, “We will continue with this and start more prototype friendly units”. Rajesh continues, “Perhaps even one in Austin, Texas. The future is bright for us”.

Is India Poised for an electronic manufacturing services boom?

September 1, 2021
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PODRAIN ELECTRONICS: PROTOTYPE PCBAS WITHOUT COMPROMISING ON QUALITY.

India’s Electronics Manufacturing Services Industry is poised to grow six-fold to $152 Billion in the next 5 years according to some industry body estimates. Podrain certainly believes this growth forecast is possible.

Our increasing participation is being driven by a few factors.

We have a large market within India for electronics in different sectors. Whether it is cars and tyres, electronic vehicles and their charging stations or medical equipment, products from all of these industries are set to have high-end electronics embedded in them. Products that were previously electrical or mechanical are being upgraded with the addition of electronics. Intended for both the global and local markets, India’s 700+ electronics manufacturing services companies can all grow and there will be room for more players too. The speed with which Ola Electric has ramped up its manufacturing capacity or the success that Dixon Technologies has seen in contract manufacturing are examples that have been making the news in recent times.

At Podrain, we have witnessed this potential over the past 4 years. We’ve worked with traditional companies looking to move into the new digital age. Can adding electronics help a tyre manufacturer offer new business models? Can a traditional watch manufacturer move into the digital wearables business? Can a UPS perform better, delivering uninterrupted up time despite frequent power failures?

We’ve also worked with startups building products that are completely new and innovative – a medical testing device smaller than your set top box. Or an under the pillow device that can revolutionise healthcare. Or a monitoring system that allows parents to safely track their children. The possibilities imagined by our clients promise an exciting future.

Besides the push by private companies there is increased government focus on improving indigenous manufacturing capabilities in defence and aerospace.

Apart from demand side drivers, there are supply side factors influencing India’s position in the Electronics Manufacturing space. COVID 19 disrupted supply chains globally and many players, who had never looked past China are now looking at other countries to base manufacturing operations. Major global manufacturers such as Hon Hai, Electroplast, Wistron are setting up facilities in India. The government has also been incentivising manufacture of electronics products with tax breaks, more attractive labour laws, SEZ creation etc.

The future looks bright for the Electronics Manufacturing Sector globally and for India in particular.

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