“It is important to procure the right product”

- Advertisement -
Bhupesh Kanyal, general manager- country head, Panasonic Automotive Systems India
Bhupesh Kanyal, country head, Panasonic Automotive Systems India

Procurement of incorrect raw material can lead to quality hazards. Bhupesh Kanyal, country head, Panasonic Automotive Systems India, spoke to Sneha Ambastha from Electronics Bazaar to make the industry aware about the value of correct raw materials

EB: How does the automotive sector impact the growth of the electronics industry?
In the past few years, the automotive industry has been growing at a healthy rate due to technology upgradation. Economic growth has also brought this sector into focus. In my opinion, this will continue for at least the next decade, and the industry will witness steady growth. Year-on-year, electronics technology is changing rapidly and this is especially the case in car electronics.

EB: Do you agree that there are some gaps in the Indian automotive value chain, particularly related to electronic components, products and services?
I agree that there are gaps, but I feel these have been reducing over the last five to seven years and are narrowing down still further. Yet, there are some products for which India does not have the manufacturing capability, like electronic active components.

- Advertisement -

EB: How important is it for your business to source the correct components from the right vendor?
The right components are the bedrock of any manufacturing company. We directly supply to car OEMs, so it is very important for us to procure the right product. By failing to do this, we will not be able to meet quality targets.

EB: Do you have any special programmes for ‘Make in India’ suppliers or MSMEs?
We are evaluating local manufacturing activities from many aspects. Once we come up with local manufacturing, we will surely have such programmes.

EB: Are there any plans to invest in capital equipment for electronics manufacturing in the coming year?
We are evaluating local manufacturing activities from all aspects and a decision may be finalised this year.

EB: What electronic components do you procure?
Ours is a car infotainment and electronic components manufacturing firm. Therefore, we require all major electronics like active and passive systems, PCBs, connectors, power supplies, etc.

EB: What are the categories of electronic materials or services that you procure regularly?
Our major procurement is electronic parts, stamping parts, die-casting parts and R&D testing equipment.

EB: Do you have any specific requirements for vendor enrolment?
Every vendor must have quality certification and must pass the Panasonic vendor approval process.

EB: How do you classify potential suppliers?
We classify potential suppliers based on their existing set-up, products, financial health and their management’s willingness to embrace future technologies. After fulfilling this vendor development process, we either approve the supplier, or choose not to do so.

EB: What are the typical ‘hard-to-find’ categories for which vendor development is a challenge?
Plastic 2K injection moulding, flex PCB, electronic active devices and magnetics are a few categories for which vendor development is quite challenging.

EB: How do you find a suitable alternative for a failed (end-of-life) component?
We look out for suppliers who have experience with similar parts. Of course, such decisions are made in close consultation with the car manufacturer.

EB: How do you find a suitable alternative for a component supplier who drops out from the business due to bankruptcy or other business pressures?
We have never faced such a situation in the past as our vendor selection process takes care of such contingencies.

EB: What is the back-up plan in case natural calamities create a scarcity of components or wafer substrates, causing the demand for such components to grow abruptly?
For such components, we always carry safety stocks and have a list of alternate suppliers. Of course, such situations cause many challenges, but we have always overcome them and supplied material to OEMs.

EB: How do you combat the counterfeit or grey market?
Panasonic Automotive is an OEM supplier, so the grey market does not pose a challenge to us.

- Advertisement -

Most Popular Articles

Tata Power Boosts EV Charging In Eastern Uttar Pradesh

0
Tata Power has launched new EV charging stations in Azamgarh and additional cities, enhancing electric vehicle connectivity throughout Eastern Uttar Pradesh. Tata Power, a leading...
Vanguard Slashes Ola's Valuation

Vanguard Slashes Ola’s Valuation To Approximately $1.88 Bn

0
The consolidated revenue of Ola increased to Rs 3,000 crore in FY23 from Rs 2,120 crore in FY22, while its EBITDA loss narrowed to...

China Presses France For EU-Friendly EV Trade Resolution

0
During a meeting with French junior trade minister Sophie Primas in Shanghai on Sunday, Wang Wentao emphasised that the European Union's probe into Chinese...
Global Tablet Shipment

Global Tablet Shipments Grows 20.4% To 39.6 Million Units in Q3 2024

0
The tablet market is experiencing a positive shift, with AI integration playing a pivotal role in revitalizing consumer interest and driving growth. After witnessing a...

Electric Two-Wheelers Zoom Ahead With An 85% Sales Surge In October

0
In the first ten months of 2024, sales of electric two-wheelers reached 954,164 units, marking a 38% increase from the 692,363 units sold during...
Dr Yashodhan P. Gokhale, Vice President for Battery Technology, JSW Energy

Charge Forward: High-Voltage Batteries And MSMEs Can Fuel India’s EV Revolution

0
A nuanced explanation of low- and high-voltage EV batteries by Dr Gokhale, Vice President for Battery Technology at JSW Energy, illuminates their advancements and...
Sanjay Gupta, CDO & Global Head of Engineering, L&T Semiconductor Technologies

Can MSMEs Contribute And Profit From The Semicon Boom?

0
Semiconductor manufacturing often requires significant investment, typically feasible only for governments or large corporations. But are there opportunities for MSMEs as well? We spoke...
N.P. Ramesh, COO and Co-Founder, Orb Energy

“We Ensured Customers’ Monthly EMI Would Be Equal To Or Less Than Their Electricity...

0
In a conversation with Nitisha from EFY, N.P. Ramesh of Orb Energy outlines the early financing challenges customers faced. He explains how Orb Energy’s...

“Government Policy Should Equitably Address All Electric Vehicles: Extend Subsidies To Retrofits Or Remove...

0
Aryaman Raghuvanshi from EFY engages with Pramod Narendra, Head of Brand Management and Retail Network at Starya Mobility, to explore the overlooked potential of...
Rupali Pawar, Senior Vice President of Business at Mukunda Foods

“Transforming Global Cuisines by Automating 80% Of Recipes” – Rupali Pawar, Senior Vice President...

0
In a recent discussion with Nitisha from EFY, Rupali Pawar, Senior Vice President of Business at Mukunda Foods, provided valuable insights into the advancements...

Wireless Light-Based Communication With Velmenni’s Technology

0
Velmenni is at the forefront of wireless communication innovation with its pioneering light-based technologies, Li-Fi and LC Link. Founded by Deepak Solanki in October 2014...

Harnessing AI Technology For Efficient Pest Management

0
AI-Genix, an agri-tech startup, is transforming pest management for farmers through advanced AI-enabled systems that precisely target harmful pests. In an industry where pesticides and...

One Charger To Charge All Your Devices

0
Now, there is no need to carry different chargers for different products. This Bhubaneswar startup has launched a universal 65W charger using GaN technology...

Karnataka Government Initiative Promises ₹5M To Tech Startups

0
Boosting innovation and entrepreneurship across the state’s vibrant ecosystem, Karnataka launched Elevate 2024 and KAN, offering grants up to ₹5 million for startups. On Tuesday,...

CastNX Tech Startup Secures ₹232M For Power Electronics Growth

0
Eyeing to boost R&D and produce 100,000 variable frequency drives by 2026, Indian power electronics startup CastNX has secured ₹232.2 million from Plutus Investments. CastNX...

Industry's Buzz

Learn From Leaders

Startups