In an interview, Gaurab Majumdar, Vice President (ASEAN, India, Middle East & Africa) at the Global Electronics Association, speaks with of TimesTech on the Association’s transition from IPC, its expanded global mandate, and India’s growing role in electronics manufacturing. He shares insights on standards harmonisation, workforce development, sustainability, and industry–government collaboration shaping a resilient, future-ready global electronics ecosystem.
Read the full interview here:
TimesTech: The Global Electronics Association has evolved from IPC with a renewed global commitment. Could you elaborate on how this transition strengthens your vision for building a more unified and future-ready global electronics ecosystem?
Gaurab: The transition from IPC to the Global Electronics Association represents more than a rebrand; it reflects a strategic expansion of our purpose. IPC’s legacy of more than six decades in standards, certification, and workforce development remains at our core, while the Global Electronics Association broadens our engagement across the global electronics value chain enabling greater alignment through standards, collaboration, and shared best practices.
This evolution allows us to:
- Broaden our scope beyond standards into four strategic priorities:
workforce development, sustainability, digital manufacturing, and next-generation technologies.
- Serve the full electronics value chain, from semiconductors and PCB fabrication to EMS, OEMs, cable & harness, materials, and equipment suppliers.
- Accelerate regional integration by harmonizing global standards, enabling cross-border collaboration, and supporting companies to meet emerging regulatory and market requirements.
- Strengthen industry–government partnerships that are essential for supply chain resilience and sustainable manufacturing.
With this transformation, we are better positioned to support a more connected, capable, and future-ready electronics ecosystem where global consistency and quality advance together across regions and value chains.
TimesTech: India is emerging as a key player in global electronics manufacturing. How does the Global Electronics Association plan to support Indian OEMs, EMS, PCB, and cable manufacturers in aligning with international standards and achieving global competitiveness?
Gaurab: India is rapidly emerging as a strategic hub in the global electronics manufacturing ecosystem, supported by strong policy momentum, growing domestic demand, and increasing global supply chain diversification. The Global Electronics Association (formerly IPC) plays a critical role in enabling Indian OEMs, EMS providers, PCB manufacturers, and cable and wire harness companies to align with international standards and compete confidently in global markets.
First, the Association supports global standard adoption across the electronics value chain. Through internationally recognized standards, training, and certification programs, Indian manufacturers are guided in implementing best practices in design, assembly, inspection, testing, and quality assurance. This helps ensure consistency, reliability, and compliance with the expectations of global customers across sectors such as defence, aerospace, automotive, EV, and consumer electronics.
Second, workforce development and upskilling remain central to building global competitiveness. The Association works closely with industry, training partners, and institutions to deliver structured education and certification programs that build practical, job-ready skills for engineers, technicians, and quality professionals. These programs help Indian companies strengthen shop-floor excellence while preparing talent for advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies.
Third, the Association facilitates knowledge exchange and global exposure through platforms such as the Integrated Electronics Manufacturing & Interconnections (IEMI) event, technical forums, and industry workshops. These platforms connect Indian manufacturers with global OEMs, technology providers, and thought leaders, offering insights into international market trends, evolving compliance requirements, and supply chain resilience strategies.
In addition, the Association actively supports global market access and partnerships. Through B2B meetings, buyer-seller interactions, and international engagement, Indian manufacturers gain visibility among global customers and partners, helping them integrate into international supply chains and expand export opportunities.
Finally, the Association works with government bodies and industry stakeholders to strengthen India’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem by advocating for quality-driven growth, alignment with international benchmarks, and long-term workforce readiness.
Together, these efforts enable Indian electronics manufacturers not only to meet global standards, but to build sustainable competitiveness, enhance trust with international clients, and position India as a reliable, high-quality electronics manufacturing destination.
TimesTech: One of the industry’s major challenges is bridging the workforce skill gap in advanced manufacturing. What initiatives is the Association undertaking to promote training, certification, and talent development in India and the broader region?
Gaurab: The skill gap is one of the most pressing bottlenecks in electronics manufacturing. The industry’s shift toward advanced packaging, high-density interconnects, EV electronics, and aerospace-grade reliability demands new capabilities at every level of the workforce.
We are addressing this challenge through a multi-tiered talent development strategy:
- Strengthening globally recognized IPC certifications
We continue to support and advance globally recognized IPC certifications such as IPC-A-610, J-STD-001, IPC/WHMA-A-620, PCB design certifications, along with training aligned to next-generation manufacturing technologies.
- Regional Training Centers
Across India and the broader ASEAN region, we are establishing centers equipped for hands-on training in wire harnessing, SMT, advanced soldering, ESD control, and more.
- Industry-Aligned Curriculum
We work directly with OEMs, EMS firms, universities, and skilling agencies to ensure training pathways match real industry demand.
- Workforce Readiness for Future Technologies
Programs now integrate digital manufacturing, automation, AI-enabled quality control, and Industry 4.0 competencies.
Our objective is simple: empower the next generation of engineers and technicians with future-ready skills that elevate the entire industry’s competitiveness.
TimesTech: Collaboration between industry, government, and associations is critical to sustainability and innovation. How is the Global Electronics Association driving such collaborations to enable sustainable, quality-focused, and globally integrated manufacturing ecosystems?
Gaurab: Collaboration across industry, government, and associations is essential to building electronics manufacturing ecosystems that are sustainable, quality-driven, and globally integrated. The Global Electronics Association (formerly IPC) plays a catalytic role in bringing these stakeholders together to align priorities, share best practices, and drive collective action across the electronics value chain.
At the core of this effort is the Association’s EVOLVE initiative, which focuses on advancing sustainability, supply chain resilience, and responsible manufacturing across the global electronics industry. Through EVOLVE, the Association works with manufacturers, policymakers, and industry partners to align sustainability goals with business performance, helping companies address environmental, social, and governance expectations while maintaining quality and competitiveness.
From an industry perspective, the Association supports collaboration by promoting the adoption of globally recognized standards and certification programs that serve as a common foundation for quality, reliability, and sustainability. These standards enable consistent manufacturing practices, reduce risk across supply chains, and strengthen trust between global buyers and suppliers.
In partnership with government and public institutions, the Association shares global benchmarks, technical insights, and workforce development frameworks that support policy initiatives focused on quality infrastructure, skill development, and long-term industrial competitiveness. This collaboration helps ensure that national manufacturing programs are aligned with international market expectations.
The Association also creates platforms for multi-stakeholder engagement through flagship events, technical forums, and working groups. Platforms such as Integrated Electronics Manufacturing & Interconnections (IEMI) bring together industry leaders, government representatives, technology providers, and academia to exchange knowledge, discuss emerging trends, and jointly address challenges related to sustainability, innovation, and supply chain resilience.
Workforce development remains a critical pillar of collaboration. Through partnerships with industry, training institutions, and government bodies, the Association delivers globally benchmarked education and certification programs that build a skilled, future-ready workforce capable of supporting advanced and sustainable electronics manufacturing. By integrating initiatives like EVOLVE with standards, workforce development, and ecosystem engagement, the Global Electronics Association is helping to create manufacturing ecosystems that are resilient, sustainable, quality-focused, and seamlessly connected to global supply chains.
