Randhir Thakur, the current CEO and MD of Tata Electronics and a veteran of Intel Foundry Services, was convinced to join the company in 2023, largely due to Chandrasekaran’s influence.
N Chandrasekaran, the chairman of Tata Sons, is set to become the chairman of Tata Electronics. This appointment coincides with Tata Electronics’ ambitious move to invest around $14 billion in the semiconductor market.
Banmali Agrawala, who will step down in a few years, will be succeeded by Chandrasekaran, pending regulatory approval. Chandrasekaran already holds chairmanship positions in several key Tata group firms and will take on this additional role, highlighting the importance of the semiconductor division to the company. Agrawala, a vital aide at Tata Sons, recently joined the group as an advisor.
Chandrasekaran’s appointment as chairman underscores Tata Electronics’ strategic significance in the semiconductor sector. His influence was pivotal in persuading Randhir Thakur, the current CEO and MD of Tata Electronics and a seasoned veteran from Intel Foundry Services, to join the company in 2023. Additionally, Srinivas Satya, the chief supply chain officer and president of the components business, came on board in January, bringing his experience as the former country president of the semiconductor products group at Applied Materials.
These key appointments have placed Tata Electronics at the forefront of India’s electronics manufacturing sector. The company has bolstered its team by hiring 50-60 high-level international experts in recent months, leveraging their extensive expertise in design, strategic planning, and semiconductor technology.
An executive close to the company remarked that the board of Tata Electronics now has the depth and capability to scale the business significantly. The company is courting top-tier global clients and may exceed growth expectations. Previously, talent and technology were major challenges, but Tata Electronics is aggressively pursuing both to drive growth. Tata Sons, however, has not commented on these developments.
Neil Shah, vice president of Counterpoint Research, noted that Tata Electronics, being in a greenfield sector for Tata, will need a strategic, measured, and bold approach aligned with Chandrasekaran’s ‘One Tata’ vision. He emphasized that the semiconductor industry, from fabs to finished goods, represents a multi-billion-dollar opportunity that will require Chandrasekaran’s active involvement to build a strong pipeline.
Founded in 2020, Tata Electronics is the only Indian supplier to Apple for iPhone assembly cases. The company has acquired a facility from Taiwan’s Wistron in Karnataka and is expanding its existing facility in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. Reports also indicate plans to further increase capacity by acquiring Pegatron’s facility in Tamil Nadu.
The pandemic caused significant supply chain disruptions, exacerbated by subsequent geopolitical shifts. Indian companies, including the Tata group, are now partnering with major brands looking to diversify beyond China, aiming to leverage the evolving market dynamics.
