“The New Facility Will Require Employees Across All Areas, Not Just Manufacturing”- Sneh Shah, Mukesh Vasani, Aimtron
What is next for Aimtron Electronics as it prepares to scale up? Revealing plans for a new greenfield project in Vadodara, set to begin in mid-2026, Sneh Shah and Mukesh Vasani from Aimtron tell everything to EFY’s Nitisha Dubey, from advanced manufacturing capacity to job creation and skill development.
Q. Why is Aimtron investing in a new greenfield project?
A. The project is being initiated because the current facility will soon be unable to handle the growing demand. The new facility, located on a three-acre (approximately 1.21 hectares) site in Vadodara, is expected to increase the company’s manufacturing capacity. This project is designed to incorporate state-of-the-art AI-IoT (artificial intelligence-Internet of Things)-enabled technology, such as five SMT (surface-mount technology) lines and fully automated systems, allowing Aimtron to scale and expand into new areas like HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) units and robotics assembly.
Q. What is the timeline for the construction of the new facility?
A. Construction for the facility is expected to begin by mid-2026, with production scheduled to commence in Q4 2027. The construction is expected to take six months to one year to complete, after which the facility will be fully operational.
Q. How will the new facility enhance Aimtron’s manufacturing capacity?
A. The new facility is projected to add an additional $96 million to $120 million in business revenue. It will house advanced machinery, such as SMT lines and injection moulding, enabling Aimtron to take on larger and more complex projects. With the new facility, we plan to increase our business capacity significantly, both in terms of volume and scale.
Q. What type of products and electronics will the new facility produce?
A. The new facility will continue to focus on high-complexity printed-circuit board (PCB) assembly. However, it will also be equipped to handle larger-scale box builds, including projects like energy storage systems, EV chargers, and robotic assemblies. These projects will utilise advanced manufacturing techniques and cater to industries such as energy storage, robotics, and electric vehicles.
Q. Will the new facility focus on high-complexity PCBA or other verticals?
A. The new facility will continue to focus on high-complexity PCB assembly (PCBA) but will also expand into box builds. This includes larger projects, such as EV chargers and energy storage systems, which will involve both mechanical and electronic assemblies.
Q. What automation technology or smart manufacturing tools will be used in the new facility?
A. The new facility will feature a range of fully automated machines, including AI-capable systems that will enhance both the quality and capacity of production. For example, a high-speed, AI-enabled assembly line has been added recently, which can produce four to five times more units in an hour compared to previous assembly lines. Additionally, the facility will be designed to accommodate the upcoming trend of miniaturisation, with next-generation machines capable of handling smaller components.
Q. Is there any specific preference for the companies or brands that will provide the new machines?
A. We typically conduct trials with new machines at our US facility before rolling them out to other manufacturing sites. As of now, we are still in the trial phase for selecting the right machines, and once those trials are completed and finalised, the specific brands and companies involved will be decided.
Q. Will the facility be built in phases or as a single development?
A. The new facility will be developed as a single, complete development. The construction process is expected to be done in one phase, with a total investment of around $6 million to $7.2 million for the facility.
Q. Who is handling the construction of the facility?
A. The construction will be managed by our team, led by a local civil contractor. We are currently exploring partnerships with industrial manufacturers who specialise in designing and developing such facilities.
Q. What approvals or clearances are needed for the new facility?
A. The new facility has already secured the necessary local approvals and licences, such as the building approval from Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC). There are no significant environmental or pollution control requirements associated with the project, as it is being developed in an industrial zone where similar facilities are already operational.
Q. Will the facility meet global standards?
A. Yes, the new facility will meet global standards, including ISO (International Organization for Standardization), IPC (Institute for Printed Circuits, now the global association for electronics manufacturing standards), and automotive-grade certifications. Our existing facility already adheres to these standards, and the new site will continue this tradition, ensuring compliance with both global and local regulatory requirements.
Q. What is Aimtron’s funding strategy for the new facility?
A. We have raised $12 million through a warrant issue, which allows the company to secure funding without diluting more equity at this stage. Additionally, Aimtron has access to a $12 million line of credit. While warrant funding is being used initially, we are planning to explore further funding options, including debt, equity, and potential acquisitions, as needed.
Q. How many direct and indirect jobs will the new facility generate during the construction and post-commissioning phases?
A. During the construction phase, we plan to outsource much of the work to builders and industrial manufacturers. However, we expect a 20% year-over-year growth in the workforce. The goal is to expand from 150 to 500 employees within the next two to three years, with positions distributed across manufacturing, R&D, quality control, logistics, and corporate functions.
Q. What kind of talent and skill set will Aimtron be hiring for at the new facility?
A. We will hire a mix of engineers, technical staff, and operators. Approximately 20% of the new hires will be engineering professionals, with another 20% in skilled technical roles such as soldering technicians. The remaining 60% will be line operators and general labourers. We focus on hiring locally from areas near the facility, especially from rural regions, and provide them in-house training through the Aimtron Foundation.
Q. Will Aimtron collaborate with local skill development centres or government schemes like Skill India or NSDC?
A. While we have not focused on collaborations with external skill development programmes like Skill India or National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), we run our own skill development initiatives through the Aimtron Foundation. This includes vocational training, workshops, and scholarships to help develop the local talent pool and provide education and job opportunities.
Q. Will Aimtron be hiring primarily from Gujarat, or are you looking to hire from other regions?
A. We are primarily focused on hiring from local areas in Gujarat, especially from nearby villages. Our goal is to offer job opportunities and skills development to individuals from areas with limited access to employment opportunities. The goal is to train and hire local talent, helping them grow within the company.
Q. Will the new jobs be focused mainly on manufacturing, or will there be roles in other areas such as R&D, quality control, logistics, and corporate functions?
A. The new facility will require employees across all areas, not just manufacturing. This includes roles in engineering, HR, logistics, quality control, and security. Aimtron expects to need additional personnel in various departments as the new facility scales up operations.
Q. Is there any training or skilling programme that will be offered to new recruits?
A. We offer training to all new recruits as part of our induction process. In addition to the induction, the company runs skill development programmes through our Aimtron Foundation, which focuses on vocational training, hands-on experience, and other activities to prepare recruits for their roles.
Q. How are you managing potential supply chain issues, especially given the current global environment?
A. We benefit from our global presence, particularly in the US, which allows us to follow a ‘China plus one’ strategy. We can source materials from various regions such as Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. This diversification ensures that supply chain disruptions in any one area do not affect overall operations, providing flexibility and stability in sourcing.
Q. How will the new facility impact Aimtron’s business figures?
A. Currently, we are generating around $8.4 million to $9.6 million in revenue and expect this to grow to $51 million to $54 million next year. With the new facility, we plan to add an additional $108 million to $120 million in business, significantly expanding our manufacturing capacity.
Q. What future plans does Aimtron have for expansion beyond the new facility?
A. Aimtron plans to focus on its greenfield project in Gujarat over the next year. In parallel, we are looking at expansion in North America, which could involve both organic growth and mergers and acquisitions. Additionally, Aimtron is considering further development in India, with possible expansions in areas such as Delhi and Bengaluru, depending on the need for technological and cost-effective production.