Walton doubles motherboard production

As the local technology giant looks to become savvier in high-tech and cut reliance on imports for advanced technologies, Walton has doubled its motherboard production capacity.

It inaugurated its second motherboard manufacturing plant at its factory in Gazipur’s Kaliakoir yesterday, where printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) is being produced. This will allow Walton to better keep up with consumer demands as well as facilitate the construction of more reliable and long-lasting products.

Motherboards are a vital part of the many products that Walton manufactures, including computers, televisions, remote controls, LED lights, and mobile phone chargers.

The second plant has the capacity to install 72,000 components per hour – just like the first manufacturing unit. This output is vital to keeping up with consumer demand.

“We also use our own PCBs and PCBAs for Internet of Things (IoT)-based products and the demand for these products is growing rapidly,” said Liakat Ali, deputy managing director of Walton Digi-tech industry.

The IoT-run products include refrigerators, home appliances, and electronic appliances such as fans and switch sockets.

Walton’s motherboards have been used in 61.67 lakh digital devices since January 2021. The motherboards are also used in the products it exports to markets such as the EU and the US.

“This means Bangladesh can establish its foothold in the global tech industry,” Ali mentioned, excitedly.

The electronics giant produces sophisticated and hi-tech random-access memory and solid state drives.

“Our target is to raise the local value-addition to 100 per cent by 2030,” said Ali with hope.

“This would mean that we will make all the parts, including microchips and displays that Walton still needs to import, for the production of a digital device locally. This would eliminate import reliance completely.”

Walton is committed to meeting the domestic demand for PCBs and PCBAs by investing heavily in research and innovation. More than 1,000 engineers work in the company’s research and innovation department.

A PCB is an electronic component that is used to support and connect components inside an electrical device. A PCBA is a complete package that is fitted with necessary components and is ready for deployment for its desired purpose.

Matador Group is sourcing PCBAs from Walton for fan regulators while many other companies are also showing interest in PCBs and PCBAs.

“The second unit of the motherboard plant has been set up to meet the growing demand,” said Rad, Walton’s spokesperson.

In 2020, Walton announced that it is starting the commercial production of single-layered, double-layered and multi-layered PCBs, the first of its kind in Bangladesh.

Symphony Mobile began experimental production of PCBAs for mobile phones at its second manufacturing unit in Ashulia.