With a mission is to help global companies manufacture in India and align with India’s vision of becoming a global manufacturing hub, Dr Tamizh Inian founded Frigate, a company that offers three key services: Contract Manufacturing, Manufacturing as a Service (MaaS), and Parallel Manufacturing. These services help medium and large-scale companies optimize their manufacturing processes, reduce costs, and maintain high-quality standards without the hassle of managing multiple vendors.
Dr Inian grew up in Muthur and Coimbatore, where he completed his schooling. He then pursued a B.E. in Mechatronics from Sri Krishna College of Engineering and Technology. Afterward, he completed a master’s in Engineering & Design and a Ph.D. in Manufacturing from Anna University. This strong educational background laid the foundation for his successful career in manufacturing and technology.
He began his professional journey in production and manufacturing and later moved into product development, design, and validation. Over the years, he accumulated 15-17 years of experience in these fields. In 2011, he started Frigate as a side project, focusing on prototypes and the automotive aftermarket sectors. He noticed a significant gap in connecting capable Indian manufacturers to global markets and wanted to bridge this gap by showcasing their capabilities to a wider audience. Even before dedicating himself to Frigate full-time in 2021, he had developed over 1500 prototypes, showing his dedication and passion for the field.
Expertise and Experience: The Backbone of Frigate’s Success
Dr Inian’s Ph.D. in Manufacturing deeply influenced his vision and approach to creating Frigate. This expertise allows him to effectively pitch to investors, customers, vendors, and employees, showcasing his deep knowledge of the field. Understanding core problems from scratch and having hands-on experience make it easier for him to develop solutions and gain respect across the table. This expertise has been crucial in establishing Frigate as one of the fastest-growing startups in the manufacturing sector.
With over 15 years of experience, Dr Inian’s approach at Frigate is heavily influenced by insights gained from interacting with clients, including Fortune 500 companies. Scaling Frigate and learning from the decisions of his seniors and counterparts have helped him navigate challenges confidently, using proven strategies to ensure steady growth. These experiences have equipped him with the wisdom to face and overcome various circumstances, driving Frigate’s success.
Demonstrating Excellence: Frigate’s Success Stories
Frigate has executed multiple projects and served clients ranging from small startups to OEMs and EPCs. Two notable success stories highlight Frigate’s capabilities in improving clients’ manufacturing processes:
Magnetic Belt Buckle for a D2C Brand: A premium D2C brand in the USA, previously relying on China, approached Frigate to manufacture a high-quality magnetic belt buckle. The challenge was to replicate and improve the complex manufacturing process involving pressure die casting, special coating, laser engraving, and more. Frigate identified and executed the necessary processes using Frigaters (trusted and tested vendors of Frigate) in India, maintaining the same or better quality as the Chinese manufacturers. This successful transition showcases Frigate’s ability to deliver high-precision products while ensuring confidentiality and competitive pricing.
Bentonite Tanks for an EPC Company: An EPC company required the fabrication of 10 large bentonite tanks within a very short lead time for metro rail construction. Frigate utilized its network of multiple vendors to split the order, ensuring consistent high quality across all suppliers. By coordinating parallel manufacturing and performing rigorous quality checks, Frigate delivered the tanks on time, demonstrating its strength in handling tight deadlines and complex logistics efficiently.
Overcoming Manufacturing Challenges: Frigate’s Strategic Approach
The biggest challenges in the manufacturing sector include supply chain complexity, maintaining consistent quality, and managing lead times. Frigate addresses these challenges through:
Communication and Real-Time Updates: Coordinating with multiple vendors for different components can be time-consuming and inefficient. Frigate acts as a single point of contact, managing the entire supply chain. They streamline communication and documentation through an efficient platform, reducing administrative burden and improving efficiency.
Maintaining Quality: Ensuring consistent quality across various suppliers can be challenging. Frigate works with a network of trusted and approved suppliers, conducting rigorous quality checks at multiple stages of production to ensure all components meet required standards. This ensures a high level of consistency and reliability in the final product.
Managing Lead Times: Meeting tight deadlines and managing fluctuations in demand can be difficult. Frigate utilizes parallel manufacturing to distribute production across multiple suppliers, optimizing lead times by balancing the workload and ensuring all components are ready when needed. They also use forecasting to anticipate demand and adjust production schedules accordingly, ensuring timely delivery.
Sustainable Future and Streamlined Manufacturing Sector
Frigate is also committed to sustainability, emphasizing sustainable practices and reducing carbon footprints. The demand for solar, hydrogen, and EV manufacturing is expected to rise significantly, and Frigate is currently executing numerous projects in these areas, contributing directly to a sustainable and green future.
India’s currently fragmented manufacturing sector will become more organized and streamlined, thanks to supportive policies and infrastructural boosts, leading to a more efficient supply chain. The use of advanced technology and innovations will pave the way towards a more advanced and efficient manufacturing ecosystem. Frigate’s platform is streamlining supply chain bottlenecks efficiently.
Driving India’s Manufacturing Excellence
Frigate’s vision is to turn India into a global manufacturing hub, driven by the mantra ‘Make in India, Make for the Globe’. They are committed to sustainable manufacturing methods that reduce carbon footprints, aligning with their mission to contribute to a more sustainable future. Catering to major sectors such as oil and gas, infrastructure, construction, and consumer electronics, Frigate aims to expand its presence across more sectors.
The main task is to integrate Frigate’s platform with artificial intelligence to streamline and simplify manufacturing processes for both vendors and clients. The goal is to allow OEMs to focus on design, innovation, and R&D, while Frigate handles the manufacturing. By doing so, Frigate strives to make manufacturing efficient and hassle-free, supporting innovation and growth. Ultimately, Frigate aims to become a global brand for manufacturing and supply chain, turning India into a global manufacturing hub.
Conclusion
Frigate, under the leadership of Dr Tamizh Inian, has quickly become one of the fastest-growing startups in the manufacturing sector. By addressing supply chain complexities, maintaining consistent quality, and managing lead times effectively, Frigate offers a reliable and efficient manufacturing solution. Committed to sustainability and leveraging advanced technology, Frigate aims to turn India into a global manufacturing hub, supporting innovation and growth across various sectors. With a strong vision and mission, Frigate is set to make a significant impact on the global manufacturing landscape.
