From appliances to defence radars, what makes an Indian PCB maker indispensable to industries nationwide? Epitome Components’ Anurag Dhoot reveals the inside story to EFY’s Vidushi Saxena.
Q. Could you explain what Epitome Components does and its core focus or mission?
A. Epitome Components Private Limited specialises in the manufacturing of printed circuit boards (PCBs). We started production in 1996, and we are soon approaching three decades of operation. We are one of the leading PCB manufacturers in the country. We manufacture all types of PCBs, including single-, two-, four-, six-, and up to eight-layer boards, as well as radio frequency (RF) PCBs. We have three manufacturing plants, with our headquarters in Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra (formerly Ahmednagar), approximately 120 kilometres from Pune.
Q. Could you walk me through your product portfolio and explain the specific applications of each product?
A. In our product portfolio, we offer single-layer, double-layer, multi-layer, and radio frequency (RF) PCBs. Single-layer PCBs are primarily used in LED lighting for consumer applications and are also common in appliances such as air conditioners, microwave ovens, televisions, and other household electronics. In the automotive sector, single-layer metal PCBs are widely used across various vehicle systems. Two-layer and four-layer PCBs serve a broader range of segments, including automotive, appliances, telecom, and industrial electronics such as uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems. Within appliances, they are integrated into products like air conditioners, UPS inverters, and washing machines. At the same time, in the automotive domain, they support applications in lighting, electric vehicles, and engine-related sensors, including capacitor discharge ignition (CDI) units. RF PCBs, on the other hand, are specialised boards used in base-station antennas mounted on telecom towers to enable mobile connectivity. These highly specialised PCBs manage signal transmission and reception, making them critical to the performance of telecom networks.
Q. What is the USP of Epitome Components?
A. The USP of Epitome Components is our mass manufacturing capability. We specialise in large-scale production. Our second USP is our strong customer connection and serviceability. Once we win a customer, we usually retain them for years, maintaining long-term relationships due to our consistent quality, service, and ability to meet QCD requirements like quality, cost, and delivery.
Q. Can you share some details about your manufacturing setup?
A. All our PCBs are manufactured at our plant. Regarding machinery, we have an extensive setup. For multi-layer PCBs alone, we follow 28 distinct manufacturing processes, supported by more than 200 machines across our plants. This combination of skilled workforce and advanced equipment allows us to maintain high quality and efficiency throughout production.
Q. What challenges do you face in manufacturing?
A. As I mentioned, PCB manufacturing is a highly complex process. It requires significant amounts of water and power, and involves 28 distinct steps. Each step uses various chemicals and must be executed with precision. Whether it is CNC drilling or another stage, every process has 10 to 20 critical parameters. Across 28 processes, this adds up to nearly 300 to 400 variables that must be carefully controlled to ensure consistent product quality. On top of that, handling and other operational considerations add further complexity. Achieving high-quality boards with the right yield is, therefore, an extremely challenging task.
Q. Do you also handle testing and measurement of the PCBs?
A. Yes, we test every PCB thoroughly. Each board undergoes 100% electrical and visual testing. The electrical inspection is followed by a complete visual one to ensure no defects reach the customer. In addition, we have a dedicated team specialising in test and measurement solutions to maintain the highest quality standards.
Q. Do you sell more in India, or export more?
A. We have focused primarily on the Indian market; hence, our products are delivered all over India. We do export, but it is quite negligible compared to our domestic market.
Q. Do you sell PCBs to the aerospace and defence sector too?
A. Yes, we supply to both the defence and aerospace sectors. I am proud to mention that our PCBs were part of India’s Operation Sindoor.
Q. What are your thoughts on government policies? Are they supporting your industry to grow?
A. Yes, I would say the Indian government has been extremely proactive. They have a clear vision, recognising that India has historically lagged behind neighbours such as China, Thailand, and Taiwan in electronics. The government has introduced various initiatives and incentive schemes to drive growth in this sector. They are making strong efforts to promote the manufacturing of components, such as circuit boards, within India. I truly credit the government for these initiatives, which provide the Indian industry with opportunities to reach global levels.
Q. The PCB market is highly competitive around the world. What sets you apart, and how do you plan to establish a strong presence in India?
A. It is competitive, and I will not deny that. But there is room for many players in India because this is not an easy business. It is capital-intensive, process-driven, and very challenging. Only those willing to put in the hard work can stay in the industry and succeed. I believe that is precisely what we are doing, and that is why we have been successful.
Q. Can you tell me about your future investing plans?
A. You need to invest across multiple areas, including equipment, talent, and marketing. As you move up the value chain and begin producing more complex boards, it becomes essential to continuously hire stronger technical talent and build a more capable workforce. At the same time, investments in advanced equipment, cutting-edge technology, and automation are critical. In short, sustained investment is required across people, processes, and technology to ensure long-term growth and competitiveness.
Q. Are there any future plans for new machinery or equipment?
A. Yes, we do. You see, PCB demand in the country is growing rapidly, and it plays a critical role in the Make-in-India initiative, which requires substantial domestic manufacturing capacity. To meet this demand, we are preparing for major investments across equipment, projects, and infrastructure. While I cannot disclose specific figures at this stage for confidentiality reasons, I can confirm that these will be significant commitments.
