ATS India (Automated Tooling Systems India Pvt Ltd) has entered into a strategic partnership with Hirata Corporation to bring the Japanese company’s semiconductor automation and material-handling technologies to the Indian market. Under the partnership, ATS India will serve as Hirata’s exclusive distribution partner in India. The agreement comes as the country expands its semiconductor manufacturing and electronics manufacturing services (EMS) capabilities and prepares to host Semicon 2026.
Hirata will initially focus on its standard product range in India, with the companies planning to expand into more customised, application-specific solutions as the domestic semiconductor ecosystem develops. The portfolio includes Equipment Front End Modules (EFEM), FOPLP Load Ports, PLP Panel Handling Robots and high-performance Wafer Handling Robots.
These technologies are designed for wafer and panel handling across semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging processes, including backend and OSAT operations. The partnership builds on an existing relationship between Hirata and ATS that has continued for more than a decade in sectors including automotive.
ATS India said the agreement is intended to address the need for access to globally established semiconductor equipment, along with local commercial, technical and service support. Indian manufacturers have often relied on cross-border supply chains for specialised equipment and technical assistance, resulting in longer lead times and coordination requirements.
Kishen Kavikondala, CEO, ATS India, said, “The focus of this partnership is on building the local commercial, technical and service ecosystem that Indian semiconductor manufacturers will need as their capacity grows over the next decade as India’s semiconductor manufacturing capacity and supporting ecosystem continue to mature.”
He said the companies would initially focus on precision manufacturing solutions before expanding into customised offerings as the market develops. He also pointed to opportunities in equipment design and the role of local availability and servicing in reducing deployment delays and equipment downtime.
John Derzy, Vice President, Hirata Corporation of America, said, “India represents one of the most important growth markets for Hirata as global semiconductor and electronics manufacturing continues to diversify.” He said the partnership would focus on building long-term capability and increasing automation in Indian semiconductor manufacturing, particularly in OSAT operations, which remain largely manual or semi-automated.
The companies also expect the partnership to contribute to local supply-chain development and skills in precision manufacturing. ATS India said India’s EMS market is expected to grow from an estimated $40–45 billion in 2025 to more than $150 billion by FY30, supported by domestic demand, policy initiatives and China+1 strategies.
ATS India is an industrial automation and engineering services company providing engineering, automation and manufacturing solutions across industrial sectors. An affiliate of SK International, the company focuses on precision engineering, industrial automation and emerging technologies.
Hirata Corporation is a Japanese manufacturer of automation and semiconductor manufacturing equipment. Its portfolio includes semiconductor automation and material-handling systems serving the semiconductor, electronics, automotive and other advanced manufacturing sectors.
