Interviewee:  Mr Neeraj Bhardwaj,General Manager, India, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka,ASMPT

 Q1. Could you briefly introduce ASMPT and the vision behind its journey in the electronics and semiconductor manufacturing industry ?

ASMPT is the global leader in hardware and software solutions for semiconductor and electronics manufacturing. Our portfolio spans semiconductor assembly and packaging as well as SMT manufacturing, combining advanced hardware, software, and comprehensive service solutions.

At ASMPT SMT Solutions, we see our role first and foremost as an enabler and partner for electronics manufacturers. The requirements our customers face are evolving rapidly: While components are becoming smaller and more powerful, AI infrastructure is creating entirely new manufacturing challenges, with large and heavy BGAs and increasingly large PCB formats.

Our vision is to provide our customers always with exactly the technologies they need to reliably bring these new requirements into high-volume production and successfully capitalize on the opportunities emerging in new markets.

Q2. ASMPT has completed 51 years. What key milestones and innovations have shaped this journey?

The success of ASMPT has been built on continuous innovation and a commitment to supporting customers through technological change over the long term.

A good example is the SIPLACE SX platform. It has stood for flexibility and scalability for many years and, thanks to upgradeable hardware options and powerful software, is equally suited for traditional SMT applications and the production of large AI server boards and high-performance computing systems.

Another important milestone is the introduction of the multifunctional SIPLACE CA2. This platform combines traditional SMT placement and advanced packaging in a single machine by processing both conventional SMD components and dies directly from the wafer within a single manufacturing process.

More recently, we introduced the SIPLACE V, an entirely new placement platform. It delivers up to 30 percent more real performance in key applications and was specifically designed to meet future manufacturing requirements, including greater automation, data-driven analytics, and AI-based process optimization.

Our extensive software portfolio, including the WORKS Software Suite and Factory Solutions, is another key part of our offering. It has complemented our portfolio for many years and continues to evolve, helping customers digitalize and optimize their manufacturing operations.

Q3. India is emerging as a major electronics manufacturing hub. How do you see this growth, and what opportunities does it create for ASMPT?

India has demonstrated how quickly electronics manufacturing can scale. The next stage is now taking shape: Beyond high-volume smartphone production, the ecosystem is expanding into component manufacturing, IT hardware, and more technologically advanced applications, strengthening India’s role in global electronics supply chains.

For ASMPT, this development presents significant opportunities. As manufacturing becomes more technologically advanced, so do requirements for productivity, flexibility, process quality, and automation – areas where our solutions are particularly strong and can support customers in their next stages of growth.

Q4. At Productronica India 2026, what key technologies and solutions is ASMPT showcasing for Indian manufacturers?

At Productronica India 2026, we will demonstrate how the interaction of high-performance hardware, intelligent software, data analytics, and AI can take modern manufacturing to the next level.

A key highlight will be the India premiere of our new SIPLACE V placement platform. Developed from the ground up with a more rigid machine frame enabling acceleration of up to 6G, it delivers up to 30 percent more real performance in key applications while providing the quality, flexibility, and future readiness manufacturers need.

Another major focus will be AI server board manufacturing. On our SIPLACE SX, we will demonstrate the placement of large and heavy processor BGAs measuring up to 150 × 150 millimeters and weighing more than 500 grams. Our hardware showcase also includes the high-precision DEK TQ solder paste printer.

With the WORKS Software Suite, SMT Analytics, and Virtual Assist, we will also demonstrate how production data, data analytics, and AI can be used to systematically optimize manufacturing processes and progressively increase automation.

Q5. With AI, automation and smart manufacturing gaining momentum, what is ASMPT’s vision for the future of electronics manufacturing in India?

Our vision for India reflects a global trend across the electronics industry: Manufacturing is evolving from highly automated standalone machines toward connected production environments in which hardware, software, AI, and automation work seamlessly together.

The key is the intelligent use of production data. AI and advanced analytics can detect patterns and process deviations, identify optimization opportunities, and, in certain applications, automatically adjust processes before quality issues arise. This helps ensure quality directly within the manufacturing process, resulting in more stable processes, higher yields, and faster responses to changing conditions.

For India, this development offers significant opportunities. New manufacturing capacity can be built around modern digital technologies from the outset, allowing manufacturers to fully leverage the benefits of connected production. Our goal is to enable more productive, efficient, and resilient manufacturing environments while maintaining the highest quality standards.

Q6. Looking ahead, what role does India play in ASMPT’s global growth strategy, and what message would you like to share with India’s electronics manufacturing community?

India is an important and highly dynamic growth market for ASMPT. We are committed to supporting this development over the long term and helping electronics manufacturers build high-performance, flexible, and future-ready production environments.

Our message to the Indian electronics industry is clear: Use the current momentum to actively shape the next stage of manufacturing – with high process quality, intelligent automation, and the systematic use of data. ASMPT looks forward to continuing this journey together with its customers and helping shape the future of electronics manufacturing.