SFO Technologies, the flagship electronics arm of the Kochi-based NeST Group, has entered into a partnership with US-based Smart IOPS to manufacture specialised AI data storage hardware at its Kochi facility, marking a significant step forward for India's high-tech manufacturing ambitions.
Under the tie-up, SFO has integrated Smart IOPS' proprietary "TruRandom" controller technology into its production lines, enabling it to build high-performance Solid State Drives (SSDs), the fast, reliable storage components essential for running demanding artificial intelligence workloads, data centres and supercomputers.
While India's electronics sector has largely grown around device assembly, producing AI-grade hardware demands far greater precision, complex circuit design and rigorous thermal management. SFO's move to manufacture these drives locally signals a shift towards producing genuinely critical computing technology from Indian soil, rather than merely assembling imported components.
Dr N. Jehangir, Chairman and Managing Director of NeST Group, said the partnership with Smart IOPS aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and reflects SFO Technologies' commitment to advanced design and manufacturing, positioning India as a trusted global hub for AI infrastructure.
Radhakrishnan Nair, co-founder of Smart IOPS, added that manufacturing the controller in Kochi demonstrates that India can now provide the reliable, high-precision supply chain that world-class AI computing requires.
The collaboration strengthens India's position within the global semiconductor ecosystem, offering international technology companies a dependable manufacturing base in Asia at a time when supply chain diversification away from traditional hubs has become a priority for many global firms.
For Kochi and Kerala's broader electronics ecosystem, the development marks a notable step up the value chain, from basic assembly work towards specialised, high-margin components that feed directly into the global AI boom.
