What an energising and insightful conversation we had today on The Semiconductor Podcast (TSP) with Venkatesh Kumar Pandurengan 🙌General Manager of PTW Semiconductor India Private Limited India Semiconductor India Pvt. Ltd.
A true semiconductor manufacturing expert with 20+ years of hands-on experience across 🏭 Fabs | 📦 ATMPs | 🧪 OSATs | 🛠️ OEMs | 🔧 Engineering R&D services.
This episode shines a bright light 💡 on the manufacturing side of semiconductors — the part that quietly makes everything work, yet doesn’t always get the spotlight it deserves.
🔍💬 What we have discussed :
⚙️ Real on-ground challenges of setting up Fabs, ATMPs & OSATs in India
🏗️ Why infrastructure, utilities & facility readiness are deal-makers
🛠️ How equipment engineering & process discipline keep fabs stable and reliable
📜 India’s policy environment — what’s helping today & what can evolve tomorrow
🎓 Importance of manufacturing-focused skills & training for industry readiness
🚀 Where MSMEs & startups can plug into the manufacturing ecosystem
🌍 Why foreign–local partnerships are essential for long-term success
📚 A sneak peek into his upcoming book on semiconductor manufacturing
🌱 Practical advice for students, educators, industry leaders & policymakers
💡 Whether you’re a student dreaming of fabs, an educator shaping curriculum, a startup founder, or an industry professional, this episode offers grounded, real-world insights into India’s semiconductor manufacturing journey 🇮🇳✨
In this podcast series, discussion on VLSI and its related fields is presented, focusing on recent developments and advancements in the industry. Topics such as the latest trends and innovations in semiconductor technology are explored, offering insights into the evolving landscape. Career guidance is shared, providing practical advice for navigating the field, along with success stories that highlight the journeys of professionals who have made their mark in VLSI. Whether for students, professionals, or those interested in the subject, valuable knowledge is offered to help stay informed and succeed in this dynamic area.
Guest : Venkatesh Kumar Pandurengan
Venkatesh Kumar Pandurengan is a seasoned practice leader with over 20 years of experience in semiconductor equipment engineering, manufacturing operations, and engineering R&D services, spanning fab, ATMP, and OSAT environments.
His expertise covers a broad range of semiconductor process and manufacturing domains, including ATMP/OSAT operations, CVD, PVD, ALD, Etch, Metrology, CMP, wafer handling, equipment integration, and quality systems. Venkatesh has worked across leading fab, ATMP/OSAT, and OEM ecosystems with organizations such as HCL Technologies (Sankalp Semiconductors), Tech Mahindra, Infineon Singapore, and ASE Singapore, as well as global fabs including IM Flash Singapore, Micron Singapore, GlobalFoundries, and Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Mohali.
He brings deep hands-on engagement with major semiconductor equipment OEMs such as Applied Materials, Lam Research, ASML, Tokyo Electron (TEL), KLA, Advantest, and Teradyne, including their sub-assembly and service ecosystems. This breadth of exposure gives him end-to-end insight into the semiconductor manufacturing value chain, from equipment engineering to high-volume manufacturing.
With over two decades of industry experience, Venkatesh is recognized as a leader in setting up, sustaining, and scaling semiconductor manufacturing ecosystems in India. He is an active advisor to the Bharat Semiconductor Society, supporting the incubation of emerging startups enabling semiconductor manufacturing in the country.
Currently, he serves as General Manager, PTW Semiconductor India Private Limited, part of the PTW Group of Companies, headquartered in Singapore. He is also the author of the upcoming book “Sivakasi to Silicon Valley via Singapore,” scheduled for publication in February 2026.
Watch the Episode here :
