Atul Lall, MD, Dixon Technologies Stresses Importance of Digital Transformation for Manufacturing Sector

Atul Lall, managing director, Dixon Technologies Chairman recently offered his thoughts on the necessity of digital transformation in the industrial industry at an event in New Delhi. Speaking about the potential and difficulties facing the sector, Lall emphasized the importance of implementing cutting-edge technologies to guarantee real-time monitoring, boost productivity, act quickly to resolve problems, and uphold total transparency with stakeholders.

Lall highlighted the enormous scope of Dixon's business, which includes several plants in Noida, Greater Noida, Ludhiana, Tirupati, and Kadapa that collectively produce up to a million devices per day. Lall spoke about the inherent risks of manual processes, citing the possibility of accidents and the severe repercussions they could have, given the large volume of output.

“We produce nearly a million devices per day, equating to a staggering scale across our numerous manufacturing facilities. Given the magnitude of our operations, relying solely on manual processes poses a significant risk of accidents that we simply cannot afford. Therefore, undertaking this digital transformation journey is not just advisable, but imperative for us. I cannot overstate the importance of this initiative from Dixon's standpoint,” said Lall underscoring the necessity of leveraging digital solutions to mitigate risks, streamline processes, and uphold safety standards across Dixon's manufacturing facilities.

Lall was speaking at an event, wherein an MoU was signed between Dixon Technologies and Dassault Systèmes to transform the former’s manufacturing processes with the aid of Dassault Systèmes’ DELMIA Apriso applications. Discussing Dixon's collaborations with top international brands in contract manufacturing, Lall underscored the company's extensive relationships with global giants such as Samsung, Panasonic, and Xiaomi. He also stressed on the collaborative nature of these partnerships, wherein Dixon works closely with its clients to ensure seamless integration of digital transformation initiatives into manufacturing operations.

“Allow me to illustrate this with a straightforward example: imagine we're manufacturing a 5G phone for Motorola, destined for export to Verizon in the US. Now, let's consider a critical component of this phone, such as the camera lens. If the alignment of the camera lens isn't precise, it could compromise the quality of the entire device.

Ensuring the flawless execution of such components is paramount, especially given the fierce competition we face from countries like Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. To maintain our position as a global leader, it's imperative that we deliver nothing short of the best. I firmly believe that our partnership with Dassault will propel us to achieve this level of excellence.

Speaking of partnerships, I'd like to shed light on our significant collaborations with leading international brands in contract manufacturing. We boast extensive relationships with giants like Samsung, Panasonic, and Xiaomi. These partnerships are not just transactional; they're collaborative efforts aimed at mutual success,” commented Lall.

Furthermore, he went on to highlight the tangible benefits of digital transformation, noting its positive impact on productivity, quality, profitability, and financial metrics. By implementing advanced digital solutions, Dixon aims to optimize resource utilization, minimize rework, and enhance overall operational efficiency, thereby bolstering its competitive edge in the market. “Our collaboration extends beyond mere product manufacturing; it encompasses digital transformation initiatives, particularly in our smartphone and IT product domains. We work closely with our digital transformation partners to integrate their systems seamlessly into our manufacturing processes,” he said

Through the partnernship with Dassault, Dixon Technologies aims to harness digital tools and technologies to optimize production processes and maintain competitiveness in the global market. Lall expressed confidence in the partnership's ability to propel Dixon to the forefront of innovation, enabling the company to deliver superior products to clients worldwide.

“The impact of these efforts is tangible. When our manufacturing processes achieve optimal efficiency—resulting in flawless first-time passes, meticulous material planning, and elevated quality levels—it directly translates to enhanced productivity and profitability. Moreover, it positively influences critical financial metrics such as cash flow, operating cycles, and working capital intensity,” added Lall.