LionCircuits, an innovative electronics manufacturing company, is revolutionizing the production process for hardware teams worldwide by simplifying and automating it end-to-end. Based in India, LionCircuits harnesses advanced technologies like automation and deep learning to offer reliable, efficient, and cost-effective manufacturing services. Their comprehensive platform serves as a one-stop solution for PCB (Printed Circuit Board) fabrication, assembly, and component sourcing. This platform allows users to move seamlessly from prototype to full-scale production.
The company’s intuitive self-service portal caters to both seasoned engineers and beginners. Our site provides the tools and resources needed to bring electronics ideas to life. Users can upload their PCB designs and tap into LionCircuits’ vast component libraries, state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment, and sourcing options, simplifying the production process. By integrating fabrication, assembly, and component procurement, LionCircuits eliminates the need to coordinate with multiple vendors, significantly reducing time and complexity.
Committed to transforming the electronics manufacturing experience, LionCircuits also focuses on delivering flexibility, convenience, and comprehensive support. Their emphasis on efficiency and digital automation empowers hardware innovators to turn ideas into reality with ease.
In an exclusive interview with The Interview World, Murali Srinivasa, Founder and CEO of LionCircuits, discusses how his company is driving the automation of electronics manufacturing in India. He also elaborates on the range of products they manufacture, provides insights into customized electronics product manufacturing, and highlights the emerging opportunities in the sector. Here are the key takeaways from the interview.
Q: How is LionCircuits leveraging automation to revolutionize electronics manufacturing in India, while ensuring affordability and reliability in its services?
A: Our innovative self-service manufacturing portal revolutionizes how customers interact with our services. By allowing users to upload their designs, including Gerber files and Bills of Material (BoM), the portal automates the quotation process. Once the customer uploads the designs, the system quickly analyzes them and generates accurate quotations. This seamless, automated functionality enables customers to place orders anytime and from anywhere in the world, ensuring a 24/7 service experience that meets their needs efficiently.
Q: What types of electronics products are you currently designing, and do you specialize in any particular segment, or do you offer versatility across different industries?
A: We excel in manufacturing a wide array of designs, with a strong emphasis on mass-market products. Our expertise extends specifically to factory automation, medical, and automotive sectors. Presently, we cater to these three crucial segments in India, delivering tailored solutions to meet their unique requirements efficiently.
Q: Can you describe the specific types of automation technologies being implemented in your electronics manufacturing plant?
A: Our facility is equipped with a state-of-the-art, fully automated PCB fabrication line, which integrates every step of the process. This includes plating, copper plating, and PTH, all managed through advanced robotics.
In addition, our front-end software supports extensive automation, handling tasks such as Gerber processing and design for manufacturing (DFM) seamlessly. We also leverage digital twins to enhance our manufacturing automation, ensuring high precision and efficiency throughout the production process. This combination of technologies enables us to deliver superior quality and performance.
Q: What is the current market size of custom electronics manufacturing in India, and how do you see it evolving soon?
A: The Indian market, valued at over $10 billion, is heavily dependent on imports, with nearly $9.5 billion coming from sources such as China and Taiwan. This reliance highlights a crucial need for increased domestic manufacturing capacity. To address this challenge, we are dedicated to significantly expanding our production capabilities. Our efforts are aimed at reducing import dependency and fostering local industry growth, ensuring that India can better meet its market demands with homegrown solutions.
Q: What types of custom manufacturing orders are you receiving for electronics products, and what trends or specific requirements are most common in these requests?
A: Our platform accommodates a wide spectrum of customers, handling everything from small orders to substantial transactions. We manage orders ranging from as little as Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 3,000, up to Rs. 50 lakh or even Rs. 1 crore. By serving all these diverse needs, we ensure comprehensive coverage for our clients.
Additionally, our self-service platform significantly enhances efficiency. It allows customers to place smaller and mid-sized orders automatically, without the need for direct interaction with our sales team. This not only streamlines the ordering process but also improves overall operational effectiveness and customer satisfaction.
Q: How do you envision the growth of this segment in India over the next 5 to 10 years, especially with the increasing involvement of major companies in contract manufacturing?
A: Consider the current landscape of contract manufacturing in India. Major players like Foxconn dominate the sector, catering primarily to large OEMs with substantial production needs. However, this model addresses only a fraction of the market’s demands. Over the next 5 to 10 years, India needs manufacturers who can serve a broader spectrum, particularly those capable of supporting production runs ranging from 10,000 to 100,000 units.
For businesses at this scale, specialized manufacturers are crucial. They provide the flexibility and support necessary for growth, filling the gap between small-scale production and the high-volume needs met by giants like Foxconn. This support is vital for startups and emerging companies that are not yet ready to reach the scale of 10 million units or more.
As production volumes increase beyond 100,000 units, large-scale contract manufacturers become more efficient and cost-effective. Our role is to address the interim needs, offering robust manufacturing solutions for quantities from one unit to 100,000 units, thereby supporting businesses through their crucial development stages.
Q: How do you specifically envision the future growth and expansion of your organization in the coming years?
A: Since its inception in 2016, our company has experienced remarkable growth. After relocating from the Bay Area to India, I launched this venture with a vision for success. Since then, our growth trajectory has been impressive, doubling or even tripling annually.
Each year, we have consistently achieved a growth rate of two to three times our previous figures. This sustained expansion underscores our strategic approach and the strong demand for our services. Looking ahead, we are committed to maintaining this momentum and continuing our upward trajectory in the years to come.
Q: What revenue target are you aiming to achieve soon?
A: We are actively working towards a significant milestone: achieving a revenue target of Rs. 1000 crore. Currently, we are operating within the double-digit crore range. Our immediate goal is to advance to the three-digit crore mark and beyond. This journey involves continuous effort and strategic growth. We remain committed to progressing through each phase of our expansion plan. Moreover, we ensure that our growth trajectory remains strong and steady.
