DIGITIMES Asia: Kaynes SemiCon secures India's first paying OSAT customer for advanced semiconductor packaging

TAIPEI, Aug. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kaynes SemiCon, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kaynes Technology, has signed a landmark memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Lightspeed Photonics, securing India's first paying customer for outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) services, according to CEO Raghu Panicker.

According to the news report from the technology-focused media DIGITIMES Asia, the announcement was made during the inauguration of Kaynes Technology's new electronics manufacturing unit in Hyderabad, signifying a major leap forward for India's nascent semiconductor ecosystem. The collaboration will see Kaynes SemiCon provide advanced packaging solutions for Lightspeed Photonics. The MoU also highlights the high volume run at Kaynes Semicon.

"This is the first paying OSAT customer in India," Panicker said, emphasizing the importance of the agreement. "We will initially carry out sample runs and low-volume production at our proto line in Mysore/Hyderabad, before scaling up to high-volume manufacturing once our new facility is fully operational."

Lightspeed Photonics, a Singapore-based fabless system development company, specializes in integrating optical interconnects with processors to create modular compute-interconnect heterogeneous System-in-Packages (SiP) under its LightSiP brand. This technology aims to enhance server scalability by reducing data latency, footprint, and power consumption while significantly boosting data bandwidth and performance per watt.

Strategic investments and advanced packaging

The deal is particularly significant as it underscores India's entry into the high-value segment of semiconductor manufacturing—advanced packaging.

With the global semiconductor industry increasingly focusing on advanced packaging technologies such as silicon photonics, Kaynes SemiCon's foray into this space positions the company as a key player in the global supply chain. Panicker also revealed that the company has already identified and aligned the necessary equipment for the project, with installation planned at the proto line in Mysore/Hyderabad and eventually at its upcoming facility.

"We have engaged with our equipment suppliers and are set to consign the equipment at their facilities. This will allow us to start rolling out packages for Lightspeed Photonics within four to five months," he added.

The company expects final approval from the Indian government for its OSAT services to come in soon, allowing it to proceed with its plans. "Approval may come in about a week's time," he stated, underscoring that preparations are already underway to meet the stringent requirements of advanced semiconductor packaging.

Separate MoU for capacity building

In addition to the MoU with Lightspeed Photonics, Kaynes SemiCon has also signed an agreement with the VLSI Society of India for capacity building. This initiative aims to develop a skilled workforce for India's semiconductor industry by partnering with educational institutions to provide training in semiconductor manufacturing. The implementation partner for this will be Perceptives Solutions.

According to Satya Gupta, President of the VLSI Society, the intention is "to make India a world-class electronics and semiconductor product nation." Bhanupriya K, MD of Perceptives Solutions, also stressed the need to train the students in the area of semiconductor manufacturing processes.

Through this MoU, Kaynes SemiCon will open up its OSAT facility for packaging free of cost to Education Institutes aligned with the VLSI Society of India. The dual MoUs reflect Kaynes SemiCon's initiatives to support the growth of India's semiconductor industry, focusing on technological advancement and workforce development.

As the first company to secure a paying OSAT customer in India, Kaynes Semicon is positioned to contribute significantly to the future of semiconductor manufacturing in the region.

India's semiconductor ambitions

Kaynes SemiCon's dual MOUs come at a time when India is aggressively pursuing its ambitions to become a global semiconductor hub. With the government's push towards self-reliance in electronics and a US$10 billion incentive scheme to attract semiconductor manufacturing investments, the country is poised to play a larger role in the global semiconductor supply chain.

India has granted approvals for three major semiconductor projects so far, including a wafer fabrication facility and an OSAT plant by Tata Group, as well as a separate OSAT facility by Murugappa Group's CG Power and Industrial Solutions.

Meanwhile, reports suggest that CG Power has recently entered into agreements with Japan's Renesas, a leading semiconductor manufacturer, and Thailand's Stars Microelectronics, an OSAT provider, to establish an OSAT facility in India. The company plans to invest INR7,600 crore (US$1 billion) over the next five years in this venture.

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

DIGITIMES Asia: Kaynes SemiCon secures India's first paying OSAT customer for advanced semiconductor packaging

NEW YORK, Sept. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- International menswear brand Coofandy and women's sleepwear label Ekouaer made a bold entrance at New York Fashion Week with their much-anticipated runway debut at the landmark Cipriani building, 25 Broadway. As e-commerce leaders in their respective categories, each brand is marking this milestone as the start of an exciting new phase of growth, with Ekouaer poised to surpass $250 million in revenue and Coofandy projected to break $300 million this year.

"Coming to New York Fashion Week jumpstarts our branding efforts and marks a new chapter for both brands," said Oliver Chen, founder of Coofandy and Ekouaer, underscoring the importance of this debut in solidifying their market presence.

To celebrate their debut, supermodels Sean O'Pry and Helena Christensen returned to the runway, with O'Pry opening for Coofandy and Christensen for Ekouaer in their only NYFW appearances this season. The presence of these iconic figures, paired with curated styling from top industry experts Charlie Ward and Matthew Mazur, positioned the brands as premium yet accessible, blending aspirational fashion with real-world versatility.

Coofandy: Jet-Setting Sophistication

With its roots in accessible menswear, Coofandy has expanded beyond business shirts and suits to include casual knitwear and beachwear, achieving $200 million in revenue by 2023. At NYFW, Coofandy unveiled 40 diverse looks, embodying a jet-setting cosmopolitan sophisticate. From sleek suiting to casual summer looks, the collection reflected effortless nonchalance with an intentional edge.

My overall goal was to show the wide range of Coofandy's offerings, said stylist Charlie Ward. "We wanted to highlight classic tailoring while also showcasing more casual or beach-ready looks. From start to finish, it was about versatility—pieces that could elevate any wardrobe while being easy to wear."

Sean O'Pry, dressed in a sharp white tuxedo jacket to close the show, perfectly captured Coofandy's modern elegance. "Sean is always a joy to dress because he understands what the clothes are trying to say. It was an obvious choice to have him open and close the show,"** Ward added.

Rafael Miller, one of the next-gen models, offered a fresh perspective. "What I love about Coofandy is the versatility it offers. From sharp tailoring to more relaxed looks, each piece makes you feel prepared for anything, and that's the kind of confidence I look for in a brand," Miller noted, embodying Coofandy's balance of sophistication and ease.

Ekouaer: Effortless Chic for Every Occasion

Ekouaer, known for its stylish sleepwear, made its mark with 20 womenswear looks that transition effortlessly from day to night. Drawing inspiration from the off-duty city girl in the Riviera, the collection blended playful elements like flip flops and wide-leg jeans with luxurious textures of silk and satin.

"Helena was a dream to work with," said stylist Matthew Mazur."She knew exactly what she wanted, and we elevated her look with bold accessories like a lace catsuit, a standout piece made exclusively for her."  Christensen, dressed in a layered silk PJ set over a lace bodysuit, captured the spirit of the Ekouaer woman—effortless, chic, and confident. "It was all about taking something cozy and giving it a bold twist," Christensen said.

Mazur further explained the vision behind the collection: "I wanted to explore how sleepwear and loungewear could transition into daywear, making the pieces versatile, no fuss, and chic. It's about blending comfort with style in a way that feels natural."

To ensure a successful and seamless New York Fashion Week show, the brands partnered with China Fashion Collective, a New York-based agency known for high-profile fashion shows and helping international brands break into the US market.  "The vision was to showcase not only the premium nature of the brands but also their accessibility, but also highlighting their versatility in everyday wear," said Yuhan Liu, former award-winning journalist and Co-Founder of China Fashion Collective, who led the NYFW production effort.

Chen also noted this NYFW debut is a key moment for both brands as they continue to explore new avenues beyond e-commerce, emphasizing the strategic importance of the show for their future market expansion.

For PR inquiry, please contact China Fashion Collective 
Email: claire@chinafashioncollective.com  
           yuhan@chinafashioncollective.com

** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **

Iconic Supermodels Helena Christensen and Sean O'Pry Lead the NYFW Debut of E-commerce Powerhouses Ekouaer and Coofandy

Iconic Supermodels Helena Christensen and Sean O'Pry Lead the NYFW Debut of E-commerce Powerhouses Ekouaer and Coofandy