Building the New Frontier in Semiconductors

Adarsha Marpalli is Nexperia’s Director of Data & Insights. Since joining the company, he has driven Nexperia’s digital transformation and smart manufacturing roadmap. “We are on a journey with three essentials: People, Technology and Data,” he says, a journey that involves Nexperia’s growth to become a ten-billion dollar company by 2030. “That means new factories, new capabilities, new technologies and products within a framework of advanced automation. And it means more people, so our doors are open!"

Nexperia is on track to scale up by four times bigger than its current size, says Adarsha. That means making the right decisions across the board,  consistently and intelligently, and for that we need solid data. Which is  where digital transformation comes in. We are on the path to capturing and analysing all the relevant data from our business processes and factory operations, with new factories that will be built on an end-to-end smart factory approach. Our goal is to make more decisions using predictive technologies, to become a descriptive company with all our data assets catalogued and stored in a way that is easily accessible to the people who need it.

What do you say to the idea that data is the new oil?

Data is a key asset for Nexperia, and we are mining deep, so in that sense, yes oil is a good metaphor. Nexperia is now implementing advanced plans to protect and harness data value, and part of that is investing in training to equip our people with the skills to use and benefit from the growing troves of data we have here. Training on four levels leads to certification, which is highly regarded and rewarded in this competitive industry of ours. So, it is a valuable skill for our people to learn not only to benefit Nexperia as a company, but also for individual advancement.

How is Nexperia growing its people?

We have tremendous growth in the human capital here in Nexperia – the people that drive our company—so we are investing greatly there too. In the data team alone we have doubled our number in the past year alone and we’re still growing. This is a fast-track innovation environment here, especially for people interested in data transformation. We’re doing a lot of new and interesting stuff, and we’re always looking for the right people to join.

 

How are universities involved in ML/AI with Nexperia?

We link with universities directly, especially for innovation work, looking at the latest thinking on artificial intelligence and machine learning. So, we connect with people for industry participation and collaboration, working as part of our Data Center of Excellence in Malaysia for instance. Fresh blood with new ideas and perspectives, this is what helps keep Nexperia ahead.

Others who work with Nexperia talk about ‘being part of something bigger’ – what does that mean?

For me, this is about new learning opportunities and challenges, testing yourself against multiple projects and challenges. It’s about being able to grow as a person, as an IT professional, gaining knowledge and experience, being part of a company that has clear goals for massive growth and the determination and ability to reach those goals. All of that, plus being rewarded for your contributions – that makes for a superior level of job satisfaction.

How should someone prepare for a job with Nexperia—what should they know, from a leader?

As leaders, it's our job to take care of employees, to make sure that we challenge but never overburden them. That said, while we have hosted sessions and workshops on work-life balance, we are also realistic with the fact that Nexperia is a growth company. We are fast-paced, the environment is dynamic, the people are driven and we’re moving forward. So, it’s a great experience that calls for great people, ready to take up challenges and be part of the leading edge.

What is it about this company that keeps people connected and inspired? 

First of all, there’s the sense of achievement that you get from being part of a team that succeeds. There’s a sense of belonging, of being recognised for what you can do, for what you’ve done and for your potential to do what comes next. You’re not an unknown person in a corner of the world, you belong, you’re recognised and you’re part of something. That’s what happened with me, I was asked to take on a role because people believed I could do it. And I was able to show some critical value. Then I dug deeper and looked at factory automation as a strategy. That’s how it started, and it has grown in size and scope since then.

Why is Nexperia sometimes described as a ‘billion dollar start-up’?

I think it’s the mindset. Just outside your comfort zone is where you can showcase your own value, and that’s where I found mine—right here. It’s because the company takes calculated risks in people – they see that you can take up new challenges. And they link you to an expert to help you explore the things you thought you could never do. That’s Nexperia.

Any advice for someone looking for a new career or new role in a different company?

If you just sit down and do what you’re asked to do, you’ll be in that corner forever. If you are someone who wants to experiment with possibilities, to prove yourself, then opportunities reveal themselves. That’s how I did it, that’s how others are doing it, because I found a company that supports the right kind of energy. Management is approachable, there’s an organogram but no hierarchy. When you have an idea, you have a platform to present and nobody will shut you down. My advice is purely personal: come and talk, we’ll listen and let’s see what happens.