RP Tech brings Japanese semiconductor engineering to strengthen India's manufacturing channel
Its joint venture with Restar combines semiconductor expertise, local engineering and field application support as manufacturers demand more technical capabilities from their channel partners.
RP Tech, a finalist for the CRN Channel Awards Asia 2026 under the “Indian Distributor of the Year” category, is expanding its semiconductor business beyond distribution by adding engineering, design and field application capabilities for India's manufacturing sector.
It has formed a joint venture with Japanese electronics company Restar Corporation to expand its semiconductor business, bringing together distribution, application engineering and localised design support to serve the automotive, industrial automation, robotics and electronics manufacturing sectors.
Under the agreement, RP Tech will transfer its semiconductor business into a wholly owned subsidiary headquartered in Bengaluru, with Restar Corporation acquiring a 26 percent stake. Operations are scheduled to begin in October, with RP Tech retaining a 74 percent shareholding.
The move validates the fact that customers expect distributors to provide technical expertise alongside product availability as the country scales local electronics manufacturing under its Make in India ambitions.
The joint venture will provide localised field application engineering, design support and technical services around advanced image sensing solutions for industrial and automotive applications. It also plans to recruit over 50 engineers over the next two years, while Japanese design specialists will provide on-ground training to Indian engineering teams.
Rajesh Goenka, director and CEO of Rashi Peripherals director, said the partnership combines Restar's semiconductor expertise and supplier relationships with RP Tech's nationwide customer reach and execution capabilities.
He said the company intends to accelerate semiconductor adoption by providing localised support and solutions for India's manufacturing requirements.
"This partnership marks a significant milestone in RP Tech's journey to expand and strengthen its semiconductor business," Goenka said.
He added that working with a Japanese semiconductor company would enable RP Tech to introduce new technologies, products and engineering capabilities to Indian manufacturers while strengthening its position in one of the country's fastest-growing technology markets.
Distribution moves closer to engineering
The announcement also indicates how India's semiconductor opportunity is creating new expectations for channel partners. Rather than serving only enterprise IT customers, distributors are supporting automotive suppliers, industrial robotics companies, electronics manufacturing services (EMS), electronics component manufacturing services (ECMS), enterprise surveillance providers, machine vision vendors, audiovisual manufacturers and home appliance companies.
These customers typically require application engineering, solution design and technical validation before deployment, making engineering resources a critical differentiator for distributors operating in the semiconductor market.
Kapal Pansari, managing director of Rashi Peripherals, said the company's long-term vision is to build a differentiated semiconductor supply chain platform that supports India's electronics manufacturing ambitions.
He said combining design capabilities with RP Tech's existing distribution network would strengthen the company's ecosystem strategy while creating higher-value opportunities for customers and employees.
Restar also views the partnership as an opportunity to combine its semiconductor expertise with RP Tech's extensive market reach across India.
Masahiro Shibata, general manager of Device Business Unit and vice president, executive officer at Restar Corporation, said the companies aim to build a significant position within India's semiconductor distribution market by combining engineering capabilities with RP Tech's customer network.
Building on an existing semiconductor strategy
The joint venture also builds on RP Tech's semiconductor investments over the past several years.
The distributor entered the semiconductor business in 2021 to establish a dedicated semiconductor practice. It has since expanded its technical capabilities through an embedded systems laboratory in Bengaluru that supports local product design and solution development.
The Restar partnership extends that strategy by adding Japanese semiconductor expertise, localised engineering services and field application support as India works toward building a US$150 billion semiconductor ecosystem by 2030.
We have seen recently how semiconductor companies are deepening their presence in the country; distributors are expected to deliver engineering expertise, technical consulting and application support. Product availability alone will not be enough. Moreover, the situation is also creating new opportunities for partners serving the automotive, industrial automation and electronics manufacturing sectors.