Vedanta Group, an Indian conglomerate, has announced the appointment of YJ Chen as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of its display business. Chen, who previously held the position of Executive Vice President at Chinese display maker HKC Corp, brings with him extensive technical expertise and a deep understanding of the display industry.
Chen’s role at Vedanta will involve spearheading the company’s plans to establish India’s first display fabrication facility (fab). This move aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s vision to produce display glass in India for various electronic products such as laptops, smartphones, TVs, automobiles, and electric vehicles. The aim is to make electronics more affordable for all. Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal expressed confidence in Chen’s ability to lead the display business and help develop a sustainable electronics manufacturing ecosystem in India.
Chen has a remarkable track record in the display industry, having established four display panel fabs globally. He has over 23 years of experience and is credited with building and operating four G8.6 fabs worth over USD 20 billion in just six years. These fabs featured the world’s latest display technologies. Chen also played a pivotal role in driving HKC, one of the top three television panel manufacturing companies.
Vedanta’s display business CEO has more than 400 patents to his name and was the chief inventor at HKC. Prior to his tenure at HKC, Chen held key positions in renowned organizations such as Innolux, Xiamen, and GIP. In addition to his contributions to the display industry, he co-founded Jumpwin Materials, a transparent polyamide (PI) material manufacturer, and Glass Polish, a cutting-edge glass-polishing company.
The establishment of an integrated glass and display manufacturing plant in Gujarat is part of Vedanta’s plan to create an electronics cluster that will generate significant job opportunities, especially for women. As a group, Vedanta is the world’s fourth-largest glass company and owns Avanstrate, a subsidiary with operations in Korea, Taiwan, and Japan. With over 700 patents, Vedanta is well-positioned to play a leading role in India’s display industry.
Currently, India imports 100% of its display glass for mobile phones, TVs, and other electronic devices. The move to establish India’s first display fab will help reduce reliance on imports and boost the country’s domestic electronics manufacturing capabilities.
Commenting on his appointment, YJ Chen expressed his enthusiasm for Vedanta’s commitment to establishing India’s first display fab. He believes that India is strategically poised to lead the next phase of growth for the global display industry. Chen is confident in the group’s foresight and dedication to capturing the immense potential of the global market for next-generation display products.
In conclusion, Vedanta’s appointment of YJ Chen as CEO of its display business marks a significant step towards establishing India’s first display fab. Chen’s expertise and experience will be crucial in developing a sustainable electronics manufacturing ecosystem and realizing Prime Minister Modi’s vision of making electronics more affordable for Indian consumers. Vedanta’s commitment to this endeavor demonstrates its dedication to embracing the opportunities present in the global display industry.
