Lam Research India plans to establish an office at Tata Electronics upcoming semiconductor fabrication facility in Dholera, Gujarat. This chip manufacturing plant by TATA, being developed in partnership with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC), is set to become India’s first semiconductor fab, with the capacity to produce up to 50000 wafers each month. The announcement highlights Lam’s commitment to providing on-site support to ensure efficient operations at the facility.
In an exclusive interview with The Economic Times, Rangesh Raghavan, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Lam Research India, explained the importance of understanding to their customers. He said that having an office at Dholera will allow them to offer immediate technical assistance, rather than operating remotely from Bengaluru. Raghavan also highlighted Lam’s existing partnership with PSMC, stating that PSMC already uses many of their advanced equipment. He added that their virtual fab platform, Semiverse, will play a key role in reducing the cost of experimentation by simulating various production conditions, making it a cost-effective solution for the Tata facility.
Lam Research has been in India for 24 years, with its Bengaluru office being the company’s largest center outside the US. Raghavan noted the vital role of Indian engineers, stating that every product developed by Lam involves contributions from the Indian team. Reflecting on global supply chain disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, he highlighted the challenges faced by the semiconductor industry, including chip shortages that affected the production of wafer fabrication equipment. Highlighting the need for a globally diversified supply chain, Raghavan pointed out that no single country can manage the entire semiconductor ecosystem, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in this industry. This development marks a significant milestone for India’s semiconductor journey, showcasing the growing expertise and collaboration in the sector.
